Travel plans to and from Indonesia faced major disruptions after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted on Tuesday, sending a towering column of volcanic ash up to 11 kilometers into the sky.
Located in East Nusa Tenggara province, the volcano erupted again early Wednesday, spewing a second ash cloud that reached about 1 kilometer high. The Indonesian volcanology agency has since raised the alert level for the mountain to its highest tier.
The eruption has led to the cancellation and delay of numerous flights, including several international routes bound for the popular resort island of Bali.
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According to Bali’s international airport website, flights from India, Singapore, and Australia were affected. Singapore Airlines canceled four flights between Singapore and Bali’s Denpasar Airport, while its low-cost arm, Scoot, also canceled services to Bali and nearby Lombok.
Australia’s JetStar, a budget carrier operated by Qantas, canceled multiple morning flights to Bali and warned of likely delays in the afternoon.
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In response to the volcanic activity, Indonesia’s AirNav authority announced the temporary closure of Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere until Thursday to safeguard passenger safety.
Beyond air travel disruptions, the eruption prompted the evacuation of residents from at least two nearby villages. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as ashfall poses risks to respiratory health and aviation safety.
Indonesia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is no stranger to such seismic and volcanic events, with Mount Lewotobi being one of many active volcanoes in the region. This latest eruption serves as another stark reminder of the archipelago’s volatile geological landscape.
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