Hanoi (VNA) – Dozens of international and domestic flights to and from Bali, Indonesia, were cancelled on July 7 following a major eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island, which sent a massive ash plume soaring up to 18 km into the sky.
According to the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation, at least 24 flights were grounded at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. Affected routes included those to Australia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and domestic destinations such as Labuan Bajo. Airlines impacted by the disruption include Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, AirAsia Indonesia, Wings Air, Lion Air, and Super Jet Air. Some carriers rescheduled or delayed flights, while Jetstar confirmed the cancellation of multiple services due to volcanic ash interference.
Indonesia issued a red aviation warning - the highest alert level - prohibiting aircraft from flying below 6,000 metres in the affected airspace. Pilots were urged to proceed with extreme caution, as volcanic ash poses serious risks to aircraft engines and avionics.
Indonesia's Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Centre confirmed the eruption occurred at 11:05 am (local time), producing strong tremors and propelling ash into the stratosphere. Authorities warned of a “very high” level of volcanic activity and the potential for mudflows if heavy rain occurs.
No casualties have been reported, but local residents had already been evacuated following earlier eruptions. Authorities distributed face masks and advised people to avoid outdoor activities due to the health hazards posed by ash inhalation.
Mount Lewotobi, standing at 1,584 metres, last erupted in November 2024, claiming nine lives and displacing thousands. It is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes, as the country lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for intense tectonic and volcanic activity./.
