Dozens of Flights Canceled as Volcanic Eruption Disrupts Travel in Bali

Image Credentials: Image Title: Dozens of Flights Canceled as Volcanic Eruption Disrupts Travel in Bali  Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: June 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.

By Staff Writer with Agencies International Desk | June 18, 2025

Holiday travel to Bali was thrown into disarray on Wednesday after a major volcanic eruption forced the cancellation of at least 30 flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and raising fresh concerns about the region’s critical tourism industry.

The disruption stems from Tuesday’s eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia. The volcano sent a towering column of ash more than 10 kilometers into the sky, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the highest possible, Level 4, according to Indonesia’s disaster management agency.

Although Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali’s main air hub, remained open, dozens of carriers were forced to ground or reroute their planes due to hazardous flying conditions caused by drifting volcanic ash.

Airlines Grounded

Major regional airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Airways, AirAsia X, Batik Air, and Wings Air, halted operations to and from Bali, citing safety concerns from ash clouds encroaching flight paths.

According to official data published on the airport’s website, more than 30 flights — both arrivals and departures — were canceled by mid-afternoon.

Indonesia’s national carrier, Garuda Indonesia, continued checking in passengers for some flights, but warned that further delays or cancellations could occur depending on the evolution of the volcanic activity.

Volcanic Ash Threat

The Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation issued a medium-level advisory for airborne ash, noting that gray volcanic material was drifting northward, potentially affecting flight paths in the wider region.

Seismic monitoring equipment on Flores Island continues to detect frequent tremors, indicating ongoing volcanic unrest, according to the national disaster agency.

“Seismic activity remains high, and we are closely monitoring developments. Residents near the volcano have already been evacuated as a precaution,” said an official from Indonesia’s volcanology agency.

Tourism on Edge

The eruption and its fallout have renewed fears about the fragility of Bali’s tourism-dependent economy, which had only recently begun to rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global travel restrictions.

“Any significant disruption to air travel, even for a few days, can deal a serious blow to local businesses that depend on international tourism,” said Made Adi Pratama, a hotel operator in Kuta.

Tour operators reported mass cancellations and stranded travelers scrambling for information amid the uncertainty.

Indonesia’s Volcanic Risk

Indonesia, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, is home to more than 120 active volcanoes and regularly experiences eruptions. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, while less famous than Bali’s own Mount Agung, has shown increasing activity over recent months.

The current eruption is being closely monitored by authorities and regional aviation bodies, who are coordinating to ensure both safety and the swift resumption of travel when conditions allow.

For now, officials are advising travelers to check with airlines for the latest flight updates and to prepare for continued disruptions in the coming days.