Airlines across Australia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, and Singapore have canceled flights to and from Bali on Wednesday following the latest eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island.
The powerful eruption, which occurred a day earlier, sent a massive ash cloud 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) into the sky, prompting aviation safety concerns.
Carriers such as Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Singapore’s Scoot have grounded flights due to the volcanic activity. The ash cloud poses a significant risk to aircraft operations, with the potential to damage engines and obscure visibility, airlines warned.
Mount Lewotobi, which has been erupting intermittently in recent weeks, has already claimed the lives of nine people, with 31 others injured and over 11,000 people evacuated. The 1,703-meter (5,587-foot) volcano continues to be a threat to both local residents and international travelers.
As of Wednesday, Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport was operating normally, with no ash detected in the airspace after tests were conducted. However, the ongoing eruptions continue to affect flight schedules. Virgin Australia has made changes to its schedule, while Jetstar and Qantas both halted flights to Bali until Thursday. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Malaysia’s AirAsia have also suspended flights.
In response to the disruptions, airlines are offering passengers affected by cancellations options for refunds, rescheduling, or re-routing. Bali’s airport operator, PT Angkasa Pura, urged passengers to stay informed and follow updates from airlines.
The island's tourism-dependent economy faces significant challenges from the ongoing eruptions, which have intensified concerns over the safety of flights in the region. Indonesia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations due to its active volcanoes and seismic activity.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates on volcanic activity and flight disruptions.
