Travel to Indonesia’s top tourist hotspot is back on after a powerful volcanic eruption caused widespread flight disruptions. Flights in and out of Bali resumed Thursday following delays and cancellations triggered by ash clouds from Mount Lewotobi’s explosive activity.
Highlights:
- Flights grounded after Mount Lewotobi erupted on June 18.
- 87 flights affected, including 66 international routes.
- Over 14,000 passengers were stranded across Bali and nearby regions.
- Flights resumed Thursday, but some delays and rebookings remain.
- Authorities raised the volcano alert to Level 4 and evacuated nearby areas.
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On Tuesday, June 18, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, sending a dense ash plume up to 11 kilometers into the sky. The ash drifted toward Bali, forcing authorities to ground dozens of flights as a safety precaution.
A total of 87 flights, including 66 international and 21 domestic were cancelled or delayed. Travelers in major airports like Ngurah Rai International in Denpasar were left stranded, as volcanic ash can severely damage aircraft engines and systems.
By Thursday morning, aviation officials confirmed that normal flight operations had resumed. Major carriers such as Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and AirAsia resumed service to and from Bali, reconnecting routes to Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and beyond.
However, a backlog of more than 14,000 passengers is still being cleared. Airlines are working overtime to rebook and accommodate disrupted travelers, and minor delays may continue in the coming days.
The Indonesian government elevated the volcano alert to Level 4, the highest on the scale, and expanded evacuation zones to a 7–8 km radius around Mount Lewotobi. While Bali’s main airport was not directly affected by the lava or pyroclastic flow, ash clouds made it unsafe for flights until conditions improved.
Two smaller airports in East Nusa Tenggara also reopened, though Maumere’s airport remains closed until further notice due to lingering ash particles.
As Bali skies clear and planes take off once again, the eruption serves as a vivid reminder: in the shadow of a volcano, even paradise has its moments of pause.
