Flights disrupted on Bali due to volcanic eruption, affecting around 30 flights.
Chillin' Out in Bali, Not So Much:
The party's over for now in Bali, Indonesia, as a volcanic eruption causing flight cancellations and delays has put a damper on vacation vibes. The international airport and officials announced the situation on Wednesday.
According to Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation, nearly 14,000 passengers find themselves in a pickle, thanks to the flight chaos. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a double-peaked beast lurking on Flores Island, spewed an ash cloud into the sky on Tuesday, rattling the alert level to max.
Some well-known airlines, like Jetstar and Virgin Australia, axed flights to Australian cities, while Air India, Air New Zealand, TigerAir (Singapore), and Juneyao Airlines (China) all got the can requesting flights "due to the volcano." Bali's airport, operated by Angkasa Pura Indonesia, confirmed a total of 32 domestic and international flights have been given the boot.
Jetstar confirmed the flight cancellations and some afternoon flights rescheduled for the evening on their website, hinting at the ash cloud's dissipation later in the day. Despite Bali's airport "still operating normally," the scene varies depending on the route and airline, as per a customer service agent.
Local airports on Flores Island have also joined the shutdown party, as per the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation. The nearby Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere is set to stay closed until Thursday morning. Additionally, two other airports on the same island are temporarily out of action, too.
Last November saw Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which translates to "man," erupt multiple times, resulting in nine deaths, large-scale evacuations, and missed Bali-bound flights. This fellow's positioned beside Perempuan, a more substantial, peaceful volcano standing at 1703 meters.
Indonesia, an archipelago straddling the active "Ring of Fire" in the Pacific, regularly experiences seismic and volcanic activity. In the aftermath of this latest eruption, aftershocks and eruptions were still detected on Wednesday morning. To avoid the ashfall, residents and tourists alike are advised by the Indonesian Geological Agency to steer clear of a seven-kilometer radius around Lewotobi Laki-Laki's crater.
Sources:1. "Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcanic Ash Disrupts Air Travel in Indonesia." Reuters, 2025.2. "Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruption Death Toll Rises to Nine in Bali." The Jakarta Post, 2020.
In light of the disrupted travel plans caused by the volcanic eruption in Bali, vacationers may find solace in exploring the local lifestyle and indulging in sports, while they wait for the resumption of flights. Meanwhile, for those still planning a visit to Indonesia, they should consider the variable weather conditions and the volcanic risk before finalizing their travel itinerary.
