Bali Flights Halted as Volcano Spews Ash, Stranding Thousands
Flights Grounded by Eruption
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has disrupted travel to and from Bali, Indonesia, with numerous flights canceled and airports shuttered. The incident has forced airlines to make significant adjustments, affecting thousands of passengers.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located in East Nusa Tenggara province, began erupting on Tuesday. The volcano spewed ash 11 kilometers (7 miles) into the sky. Consequently, the Indonesian volcanology agency elevated the alert level to its highest rating. It erupted again Wednesday morning, producing another ash cloud that reached a kilometer (0.62 miles) in height.
BREAKING: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia has erupted, spewing ash up to 11 km high. Airports in the area have been closed and flights are being canceled/delayed. pic.twitter.com/d12qL2i2vT
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 17, 2024
The Transportation Ministry of Indonesia indicated that at least 26 international and domestic flights have been delayed or canceled. This impacts more than 14,000 travelers. Among these were at least 14 flights arriving from India, Singapore, and Australia to Bali, as indicated on the Bali international airport website.
“Forecasts show the ash cloud is expected to clear by later tonight,”
—JetStar
In 2023, Indonesia’s tourism sector saw a significant recovery, with visitor numbers rising by over 250% compared to the previous year (Statista 2023). The disruptions caused by the eruption could potentially hinder this recovery.
Airline Responses and Airport Closures
Singapore Airlines has canceled four flights between Bali’s Denpasar airport and Singapore. Its budget subsidiary, Scoot, also suspended flights to Bali and the neighboring island of Lombok. Additionally, Qantas’s low-cost carrier, JetStar, has canceled several morning flights from Australia to Bali and anticipates delays for afternoon flights.
The government has temporarily closed three airports in East Nusa Tenggara province, including Fransiskus Xaverius Seda in Maumere, starting Wednesday and extending until Thursday. These closures are intended to ensure passenger safety, according to the transportation ministry.
Local authorities also evacuated dozens of villagers residing near the volcano. Streets in the affected villages were covered in ash, gravel, and sand, as reported by the local disaster mitigation agency. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported.
Indonesia’s Volcanic Activity
Indonesia is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic activity, due to its location atop several tectonic plates. The volcano last erupted in May.
The situation is evolving, and air travel disruptions are anticipated to persist until conditions improve. Passengers should check with their airlines for the latest updates.