Wednesday, June 18, 2025

The eruption sent towering plumes of ash as high as eleven kilometers into the atmosphere, triggering immediate airspace restrictions, regional airport shutdowns, and a cascade of last-minute flight cancellations across Southeast Asia. Passengers flying in from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and India were caught in the chaos, with many left stranded at departure terminals or rerouted through alternate airports. The eruption, which marked Mount Lewotobi’s second in less than twenty-four hours, prompted Indonesia’s volcanology agency to raise the alert to its highest level, warning of further explosive activity and increased risk to aviation. As ash clouds drifted across flight paths and visibility plummeted, both international and domestic carriers scrambled to suspend operations, prioritize safety, and begin the complex task of rescheduling affected routes.

The eruption began on , when Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, one of Indonesia’s many active volcanoes, exploded with a massive ash plume reaching into the sky. By , the volcano erupted again, pushing another cloud of ash into the atmosphere.

This sudden escalation prompted the country’s , citing potential hazards to both aviation and nearby communities. Ashfall coated villages, visibility dropped, and airport operations across the region began to spiral into delays and cancellations.

While , Bali’s primary international gateway, remained operational, the ash cloud disrupted flight schedules almost immediately. According to official data, and , bringing the total number of affected flights to .

Flights in and out of Bali became a logistical nightmare, with among the hardest-hit countries. The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation confirmed that at least were impacted by the eruption, affecting .

took swift action by between Denpasar and Changi Airport, citing safety concerns. Its low-cost sister carrier, , also grounded several services to both . These cancellations triggered a domino effect for connecting flights throughout Asia.

Meanwhile, and —both major Australian operators with high-frequency routes to Bali—also . Jetstar reported that morning departures were suspended, with additional delays expected into the evening, pending ash cloud movement.

, , and each faced partial or full cancellations of their scheduled services. KLM saw a , while cancelled and delayed two more.

, one of the largest low-cost carriers in the region, was heavily affected. Flights operated by both and were either , especially those connecting . The airline issued a travel alert warning of further disruptions in the coming hours based on changing ash cloud forecasts.

, the national flag carrier, also suffered from the unpredictable airspace conditions. The airline reported and , leaving hundreds of passengers stranded or rerouted across domestic terminals.

Here’s a quick airline-wise breakdown of the at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport:

The disruption spread beyond just these airlines, with smaller regional players like also seeing delays as aviation authorities coordinated rerouting or grounding measures.

While Bali’s airport remained open, . These included , which is often used as a regional transit hub for eastern Indonesia. The government suspended operations until Thursday as a precautionary measure to protect passenger safety.

The disruption didn’t only impact air travel. On the ground, the situation grew more tense. were evacuated after the eruption, with reports of thick layers of ash, gravel, and sand blanketing streets in two nearby villages. Emergency teams were deployed to monitor conditions and assist in evacuations. Thankfully, authorities reported no casualties, though visibility and air quality remained hazardous throughout the region.

Indonesia, home to over one hundred thirty active volcanoes, sits atop the Pacific Ring of Fire—a hotbed of seismic activity where tectonic plates constantly shift. This makes the country prone to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, with major air travel disruptions occurring at least once or twice each year.

In this case, Mount Lewotobi’s renewed activity has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of Indonesia’s air infrastructure during volcanic crises. Travelers, airlines, and tourism authorities alike are now facing mounting pressure to develop faster, more flexible responses to natural disruptions.

Jetstar and other carriers have stated that ash clouds are expected to clear by late Wednesday night, but delays and scheduling adjustments could continue well into the next day. Passengers traveling through Bali or connecting via Indonesia are strongly advised to check with airlines for live updates, monitor ash forecasts, and allow for flexible rebooking policies.

Over 120 flights were cancelled and delayed at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport as Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Virgin Australia, AirAsia, and others grounded operations due to Mount Lewotobi’s volcanic eruption in Indonesia, plunging the island into sudden travel chaos.

This latest eruption serves as a stark reminder that even paradise has its risks. Bali, one of the world’s most visited island destinations, is no stranger to travel chaos caused by nature’s unpredictable force. As more than 14,000 passengers adjust their plans and airlines struggle to reschedule operations, it’s clear that volcanic activity remains one of the few travel disruptions that modern aviation still struggles to predict or contain.

Indonesia’s tourism industry, just beginning to recover post-pandemic, now faces another unexpected blow. For now, the skies over Bali are cautiously clearing—but the situation remains dynamic.