Volcanic Eruption Disrupts Bali Flights, Hundreds Stranded

Dozens of international flights to and from Bali have been canceled due to a volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia. Among the affected airlines are Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, and others.

The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island occurred at 10:35 BST, according to Indonesia’s volcanology agency. The 1,584-meter twin-peaked volcano sent a massive ash cloud billowing into the sky, disrupting international flights and leaving hundreds of travelers—many of them from New Zealand—stranded on the resort island of Bali.

One of the most notable cancellations was Air New Zealand flight NZ291 from Denpasar to Auckland, leaving many passengers stuck in Bali. The inbound flight, NZ290 from Auckland to Bali, was also canceled.

Air New Zealand is currently rebooking affected passengers on the next available flights, depending on weather conditions. Travelers are advised to check the Air NZ app or website for the latest updates.

Jetstar has also canceled multiple return services between Australia and Bali. Affected flights include:

JQ31/32 – Melbourne ↔ Bali

JQ57/58 – Brisbane ↔ Bali

JQ125/126 – Adelaide ↔ Bali

JQ39/40 – Sydney ↔ Bali

Virgin Australia followed suit, grounding several of its flights:

VA45/50 – Brisbane ↔ Denpasar

VA91/92 – Melbourne ↔ Denpasar

While Qantas has not canceled its services outright, it has issued delays of up to two hours for flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Denpasar. The airline expects flying conditions to improve later in the day.

According to the BBC, a 7-kilometre exclusion zone has been established around the crater of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. While no injuries or structural damage have been reported so far, residents living nearby have been advised to evacuate due to ongoing tremors.

The volcano last erupted in November 2023, killing nine people and displacing thousands. The latest eruption has reignited safety concerns, and authorities are urging caution and preparedness in surrounding regions.

If you’re currently in Bali and planning to travel in or out of the island, check your airline’s website or app frequently. Flight status may change rapidly depending on ash movement and wind direction.

Although Denpasar Airport remains operational, volcanic ash in the atmosphere poses significant risks to aircraft engines and visibility, requiring continuous real-time adjustments.

Source: bbc.com