Asian Airlines Cancel Bali Flights Due to Volcanic Ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki

Tags: Bali, Mount Lewotobi, volcanic eruption, flight cancellations, Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar, AirAsia

Volcanic Eruption Grounds Flights Across Asia

Several Asian airlines have suspended flights to and from Bali after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on Indonesia’s Flores Island, sending a 9-kilometer ash plume into the sky. Airlines affected include Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines (SIA), Scoot, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and India’s IndiGo.

Virgin Australia announced changes to its schedule, while Jetstar halted all flights to and from Bali until Thursday noon, citing safety risks from volcanic ash in the area. Singapore Airlines canceled two flights, and Scoot retimed and canceled several routes, offering rebooking options or refunds for impacted travelers.

Impact on Passengers and Airport Operations

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport saw long delays and cancellations, with 12 domestic and 22 international flights disrupted. Passengers were provided options for refunds, rescheduling, or re-routing by the airlines. Although Bali’s airspace showed no volcanic ash, further eruptions from Mount Lewotobi continued through Wednesday morning, with significant ash columns visible in the region.

Ongoing Volcanic Activity and Regional Implications

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-meter twin-peaked volcano, has erupted multiple times over the past few weeks, resulting in nine fatalities, 31 injuries, and over 11,000 evacuations, according to Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency. As volcanic ash can severely damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility, flights near volcanic activity pose considerable safety risks, prompting these extensive flight cancellations and adjustments.

Indonesia’s position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” makes it highly prone to seismic and volcanic events. The Lewotobi volcano pair, with Laki-Laki representing “man” in Indonesian, stands in contrast to the nearby dormant twin, named for “woman.” This volcanic activity continues to disrupt travel and poses a considerable challenge for air travel in the region.