Bali Flight Cancellations Amid Volcanic Ash
Indonesia’s famed resort island Bali is grappling with significant travel disruptions following a volcanic eruption that spewed dark ash as high as eight kilometers into the sky. The eruption, which originated from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island in the East Nusa Tenggara Province, has forced the cancellation of seven international flights from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. On March 20, 2025, shallow volcanic earthquakes were detected, culminating in three distinct eruptions that day and producing an ash plume reaching 8,000 meters (26,200 feet) in altitude. This dramatic increase in volcanic activity prompted Indonesian authorities to raise the alert level from Level III to Level IV, urging residents and tourists to avoid areas within a seven- to eight-kilometer radius of the eruption center.
At 09:45 local time on March 21, 2025, a spokesperson for Ngurah Rai International Airport confirmed that a total of seven international flights had been cancelled due to the hazardous volcanic ash. Among these cancellations were six Jetstar flights bound for Australia and one AirAsia flight scheduled to fly to Kuala Lumpur. In addition to these international disruptions, several other flights—both domestic and international—to destinations including Thailand, Singapore, and Australia experienced delays as airlines scrambled to adjust schedules in response to the unpredictable ash cloud.
Jetstar confirmed that the flights between Australia and Bali slated for the morning of March 21 had been cancelled due to the volcanic ash. However, the airline later updated passengers that operations would soon resume on the Australia-Denpasar route as conditions gradually improved. This decision to temporarily suspend flights is part of broader safety measures adopted by airlines operating in the region, as the presence of volcanic ash poses a serious threat to aircraft engines and overall flight safety.
Despite the chaos, local authorities have taken steps to manage the crisis. The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation has issued clear guidelines for the public, advising anyone in the vicinity of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki to refrain from all activities within the designated safety radius. These precautions are critical in preventing further incidents and ensuring that both residents and visitors remain safe while the situation is closely monitored.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport in Malaysia has clarified that Frans Xavier Seda Airport in Maumere, Flores—the nearest airport to the volcano—remains unaffected by the ash fallout, offering some relief to regional travelers. The recent eruption is not an isolated incident; Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki previously erupted in November 2024, an event that tragically claimed at least 10 lives and led to a wave of flight cancellations across Asia. The lingering impact of that eruption still resonates, as airlines and travelers alike remain wary of the potential hazards posed by volcanic activity in this geologically active region.
The current disruptions serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the aviation industry when natural disasters strike. As airlines work to adapt to these sudden changes, passengers are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and be prepared for further schedule adjustments. With regional authorities and airlines closely monitoring the situation, the hope is that normal flight operations can resume soon while ensuring that the highest safety standards are maintained for everyone affected by the volcanic eruption.
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