The Indonesian island of Bali faced new air travel disruptions on Monday due to a sudden volcanic eruption on a nearby island. The eruption released a massive cloud of volcanic ash and smoke, reaching an altitude of approximately 18 kilometers, significantly affecting numerous flights to and from the popular tourist destination.
The disruption was caused by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on Flores Island, a well-known tourist destination in Indonesia. The volcano erupted at 11:05 a.m. local time, according to the Volcanology Agency, which reported that a dense ash plume rose dramatically, prompting immediate safety measures for civil aviation.
Although the ash cloud did not directly enter Bali’s airspace, several airlines preemptively canceled flights to and from the island to avoid any potential risks to aircraft safety.
Ahmad Syaugi Syahab, General Manager of Bali International Airport, confirmed that 24 flights had been canceled so far, including flights operated by Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, and AirAsia Indonesia. He added that the airport remains fully operational, as the ash has not directly affected the airspace over Bali. However, some airlines opted to act with caution.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Wafid, head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency, stated that Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki remains at the highest alert level, noting that the eruption involved powerful explosions and ongoing tremors, indicating that volcanic activity may continue in the coming days.
Authorities have warned local residents to stay at least six kilometers away from the volcano’s crater and advised wearing protective masks to minimize inhalation of the ash, which can be hazardous to respiratory health.
This is not the first time the volcano has caused air travel disruption. A similar eruption last month led to the cancellation of dozens of flights and ashfall on surrounding villages, prompting preventive evacuations, including the clearing of at least one village.
Indonesia is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity, requiring constant readiness from authorities to manage such natural events.
