Bali, June 18, 2025 – Travelers across Asia, Australia, and India are facing unexpected delays and cancellations as a powerful volcanic eruption disrupted air travel across Indonesia and beyond.
Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki, located on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, erupted earlier this week, spewing ash clouds up to 11 kilometers into the sky. The eruption led to mass evacuations and significant air traffic disruption, particularly affecting flights to and from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport.
What Happened?
Indonesia’s disaster response agencies quickly raised the alert level to Level 4, the highest on the scale. Residents from villages within an 8-kilometer radius—such as Boru, Hewa, and Watobuku—were evacuated as thick ash blanketed the region. While no injuries have been reported, the eruption has left thousands of locals and travelers on edge.
Air Travel Fallout
The ash plume, which extended for miles and became visible from Bali and even northern Australia, forced major flight cancellations:
- Dozens of flights were grounded or delayed, impacting routes to and from Australia, India, Singapore, and Malaysia.
- Air India had to turn a flight back mid-air from Delhi to Bali due to ash-related risks.
- Airlines including Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines either canceled or rescheduled their flights.
- In total, at least 16 international flights were affected in a single day, stranding hundreds of travelers across airports.
Despite the disruption, Denpasar Airport in Bali remained operational, with aviation officials carefully monitoring ash cloud movement.
Voices from the Ground
Passengers described scenes of confusion and growing concern. One traveler stranded at Bali Airport said,
“There’s nobody helping us… we are kind of stranded.”
Airlines have urged passengers to remain patient and stay updated through their official channels. Some offered free rebooking options, while others issued refunds or rerouted passengers through unaffected hubs.
Safety First
According to aviation experts, volcanic ash poses a serious threat to aircraft, potentially damaging engines and affecting flight control systems. For this reason, many airlines proactively grounded their planes even though some airspace remained technically open.
Jetstar, Qantas, and Scoot extended cancellations into mid-week, emphasizing that passenger safety is non-negotiable.
What Comes Next?
Weather models suggest the ash cloud will begin to dissipate later today, allowing flights to resume under strict safety evaluations. Airlines have started gradually resuming services but continue to monitor conditions closely.
What Travelers Should Do
If your travel plans are impacted:
- Stay in touch with your airline for real-time updates.
- Keep receipts for food, accommodations, and transportation for insurance or compensation claims.
- Consider travel insurance for future trips that include coverage for natural disasters.
Final Thoughts
Indonesia, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, is no stranger to volcanic eruptions. While such events are awe-inspiring reminders of nature’s power, they also underscore the importance of adaptable travel plans and prioritizing safety over schedules. As Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki continues to rumble, travelers and locals alike are hoping for calm skies—and safe journeys ahead.
References (Accessed June 18, 2025)
- The Washington Post – Dramatic ash cloud blankets sky in Indonesia as volcano erupts
- Reuters – Many flights to Indonesia’s Bali cancelled after volcano eruption
- Associated Press (AP) – Volcanic eruption in Indonesia forces evacuations and flight cancelations
