Airlines across Australia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, and Singapore grounded flights to and from Bali on Wednesday (Nov 13), following another powerful eruption from Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which cast an ash plume high into the sky, disrupting travel plans across the Asia-Pacific region. The volcanic activity is the latest in a series of eruptions from the twin-peaked volcano that has caused significant flight disruptions, passenger rebookings, and airport delays.
The 1,703-meter volcano, located on Flores Island, has been erupting intermittently for weeks, with the latest explosion sending a column of volcanic ash over nine kilometers high into the atmosphere on Tuesday. This has forced numerous airlines, including Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Cathay Pacific, to adjust their schedules, reschedule flights, and take safety precautions.
Australian carriers Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia promptly responded to the eruption by grounding flights on Wednesday. Jetstar was one of the first to announce that all flights to and from Bali would be paused until noon on Thursday, citing concerns for passenger safety amid volcanic ash drifting into Bali’s flight path.
“Due to volcanic ash caused by the Mount Lewotobi eruption in Indonesia, it is currently not safe to operate flights to and from Bali,” Jetstar announced in a public advisory. The company also offered affected customers the option to reschedule or cancel their trips, with full refunds available for those choosing to cancel.
Virgin Australia announced similar adjustments to its flight schedules, canceling flights to Sydney and Melbourne from Bali. “Virgin Australia has made some changes to its current flight schedule due to the impacts of the volcano in Indonesia,” the airline noted in a statement. Qantas also suspended its services to Bali, coordinating with other carriers in the region to ensure that safety protocols were consistently followed.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its subsidiary Scoot were among the first international carriers in Southeast Asia to respond to the eruption. SIA confirmed that it had cancelled two flights following the eruption, working to rebook passengers on alternative routes or flights.
“SIA is assisting to rebook affected customers on alternative flights,” said a spokesperson for the airline, reassuring passengers that the company was working diligently to minimize delays and re-accommodate travel plans.
Meanwhile, Scoot reported that it had not only canceled two flights to and from Lombok, a neighboring island, but also retimed several flights to Bali. The airline outlined options for passengers, offering rebooking support, alternate flights, and the option of a full refund for customers who wished to postpone or cancel their travel plans. “For affected customers of the canceled flights, Scoot is assisting to re-accommodate them onto alternative flights, where possible,” the airline announced, emphasizing customer support during the unexpected crisis.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific, known for its extensive Asia-Pacific network, also announced that it would suspend flights to Bali until Thursday. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, along with India’s IndiGo, all listed cancellations as they adjusted their schedules in response to the ongoing volcanic activity.
AirAsia, a low-cost carrier operating extensively within Southeast Asia, stated that volcanic ash posed “a significant threat to safe operations of the aircraft in the vicinity of volcanic clouds.” The airline emphasized that passenger and crew safety was its top priority, leading to multiple flight cancellations to Bali and nearby routes.
Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, general manager of Bali’s international airport, informed media outlets that the eruption had disrupted 12 domestic and 22 international flights on Tuesday. He also stated that the airport was assisting affected passengers and working with airlines to provide refunds, alternative travel arrangements, and re-routing options where feasible.
Despite the widespread cancellations, Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia confirmed on Wednesday that the airport was “operating as normal.” The operator had conducted air quality tests within its flight paths and confirmed that no volcanic ash had been detected in the immediate vicinity of the airport.
Nevertheless, the eruption late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning sent yet another column of ash streaming from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, leading airport officials to maintain a cautious approach. They worked in close collaboration with airlines to monitor the situation and make real-time decisions based on updated information.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which translates to “man” in Indonesian, is paired with a neighboring, less active peak named after the Indonesian word for “woman.” This duo of peaks has been a frequent source of seismic and volcanic activity over the past several years. Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago, lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic movements frequently trigger earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Since the recent spate of eruptions, the Indonesian disaster mitigation agency reported that nine people had died, with 31 others injured and over 11,000 people evacuated from nearby villages and towns. The series of eruptions has raised concerns about the safety of the area, with local authorities maintaining vigilant evacuation and safety protocols.
Volcanic ash clouds can severely impair flight safety by reducing visibility and posing a risk to jet engines. The fine ash particles have the potential to damage engines, scouring turbine blades and compromising mechanical components. This has led to standard industry protocols to suspend flights near active volcanic regions to prevent endangering passengers and crews.
Bali, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, culture, and hospitality, heavily relies on international visitors, particularly from Australia, China, and other neighboring countries. Disruptions to flights impact not only the tourism industry but also local businesses, tour operators, and workers who depend on tourism as their main source of income.
The recent volcanic activity and associated flight cancellations arrive during a period of peak travel, as tourists flock to Bali’s beaches and resorts ahead of the holiday season. Prolonged disruptions could result in significant revenue losses for the island’s economy, which has already been under pressure due to ongoing global travel restrictions and economic challenges.
In a statement, Indonesian tourism officials expressed concern over the situation, noting that they were closely monitoring the impact of the volcanic activity on travel and tourism. “We are working with local authorities, businesses, and airlines to support affected travelers and ensure that tourists are safe and well-informed about the situation,” said a representative from Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism.
Travel experts recommend that travelers planning to visit Bali in the coming weeks stay informed of airline updates, airport advisories, and volcanic activity reports. Airlines operating in the region have enhanced their customer service teams to handle increased inquiries, and passengers are encouraged to keep in close contact with their airlines.
Passengers traveling to or from Bali and surrounding islands are advised to:
- Monitor the status of flights and airport conditions via official airline channels and the Ngurah Rai Airport website.
- Have flexible travel plans and be prepared for possible cancellations or delays.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers natural events and flight disruptions.
- Be aware of refund policies, rebooking options, and alternative routes, as outlined by their respective airlines.
