Karmactive Staff
The recent eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Indonesia’s Flores island has triggered widespread flight cancellations and left travelers stranded at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. The volcano, standing at 1,584 meters (5,197 feet), spewed an ash column reaching 9 kilometers into the sky, causing severe disruptions of air travel and emergency evacuations.
Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, general manager of Bali’s international airport, confirmed that 26 domestic and 64 international flights had been affected by recent eruptions as of Wednesday afternoon. Major carriers, including Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, IndiGo, and Singapore Airlines, have grounded their services. Routes from Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, India, Australia, Malaysia, China’s Pudong, and South Korea’s Incheon faced delays or cancellations.
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency reported nine fatalities and has injured a dozen others in recent weeks. About 6,500 people were evacuated in early January when the volcano began erupting.
Similar Posts:
The volcano, whose name “Laki-Laki” means “man” in Indonesian, is part of a twin system with a calmer volcano named after the Indonesian word for “woman.” Indonesia’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it particularly vulnerable to volcanic activity and natural disasters.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun, Bali’s tourism head, attempted to calm fears: “To all people, especially tourists, do not be afraid or hesitate to go to Bali because Bali is safe, but make sure to check the latest information on weather conditions”.
“AirAsia flights to and from Labuan Bajo have been affected since November 4, 2024, due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, creating unsafe conditions for flights,” AirAsia stated in their official announcement. Jetstar declared a suspension of all Bali flights until Thursday noon, citing unsafe operating conditions.
Airlines have offered affected passengers various options, including refunds, rescheduling, or rerouting. Air India announced “complimentary rescheduling, accommodation in next available flights, or full refunds” for impacted customers.The volcano erupted multiple times on Thursday, and a large ash column could be seen pouring from its crater, as reported by an AFP journalist nearby. Aviation authorities maintain close monitoring of the situation, with safety remaining the primary concern for all operations.
