June 18, 2025 – Travel chaos has struck Bali once again as Mount Lewotobi Laki‑laki, located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, erupted on June 17–18, spewing volcanic ash up to 11 km into the atmosphere and triggering the highest-level alert from Indonesia’s volcanology agency .
🚫 Flight Cancellations & Affected Routes
- Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport and Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport (Maumere) faced operational disruptions. The latter was temporarily shut from Wednesday to Thursday to protect passengers usnews.com+13reuters.com+13travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com+13.
- At least two dozen flights to and from Bali were cancelled—including services from India, Singapore (e.g., Singapore Airlines), Australia (Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas), and Malaysia (AirAsia) travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com+7businesstimes.com.sg+7sbs.com.au+7.
- AirAsia also halted several domestic flights bound for Labuan Bajo on Flores businesstimes.com.sg+15straitstimes.com+15straitstimes.com+15.
🌋 On-Ground Conditions & Safety Measures
- The ash cloud first erupted on June 18, followed by a smaller eruption that produced a 1 km ash plume the next morning newsweek.com+15reuters.com+15thejakartapost.com+15.
- Nearby villages were evacuated, with volcanic ash, gravel, and sand blanketing the streets reuters.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
- Authorities urged residents and visitors to stay at least 7–8 km from the crater, wear masks, and be alert to possible lava flows — especially during rainfall en.wikipedia.org+3en.wikipedia.org+3thesun.ie+3.
⚠️ Why Are Flights Cancelled?
Volcanic ash is a serious hazard to aircraft:
- Engine damage from ash melting and forming glass-like deposits
- Abrasive ash can impair cockpit windows, sensors, and instrumentation 9news.com.au+9en.wikipedia.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9.
To protect air safety, airlines and aviation authorities routinely ground flights when ash clouds are present.
🧭 What Should Travelers Do?
If you’re planning to fly to or from Bali:
- Check flight status and contact your airline for cancellations or rebooking.
- Prepare for delays or rerouting—many airlines offer flexible cancellation and rescheduling options.
- Stay informed via official channels like Bali Airport’s social media or volcanological bulletins.
- Be flexible with plans, especially if you’re transiting through Bali or Flores in the coming days.
📈 Historical Context
Mount Lewotobi has a history of disrupting travel. Notably:
- March 2025 eruption: sent ash 8 km high and cancelled around seven international flights sbs.com.auen.antaranews.com+15thebalisun.com+159news.com.au+15vietnamnews.vn+4en.wikipedia.org+4reuters.com+4.
- November 2024 eruption: claimed lives, forced evacuations, and grounded flights—echoing the current disruption .
✍️ In Summary
The skies over East Indonesia remain turbulent as Mount Lewotobi rumbles with renewed force. While flights are now grounded or delayed, safety clearly takes priority. Whether Bali-bound or connecting through Southeast Asia, travelers should brace for ongoing disruptions and stay linked with airline and local advisories.
Stay safe, stay informed—and may your travels return to clear skies soon.
