Flight services resumed at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Friday, March 21, 2025, following a series of delays and cancellations caused by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia. This volcanic activity impacted over a dozen flights scheduled for the day.
The incident, which originated late Thursday night when the volcano erupted, sending an ash plume soaring 8,000 meters into the sky, prompted immediate action from the airlines and aviation authorities. By 3 PM on Friday, all regular flight schedules had returned to normal, with both domestic and international flights resuming normal operations.
Jetstar had to cancel six return flights scheduled from Australia to Bali on the morning of March 21, but the airline announced in the afternoon that operations between Australia and Denpasar would continue, as conditions had improved post-eruption. A spokesperson noted, “Jetstar will resume normal operations between Australia and Denpasar this afternoon as conditions have improved following an earlier eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia.”
In contrast, Virgin Australia anticipated some delays on two of its flights that day. VA45 from Brisbane to Denpasar and VA91 from Melbourne to Denpasar were under scrutiny as meteorologists closely monitored the ash cloud movement. A spokesperson for Virgin Australia emphasized that safety remained the priority and advised travelers to keep updated via their website and app.
As for Qantas, only afternoon flights were on their schedule and were currently unaffected by the volcanic activity. This came as a relief to many passengers eager to travel to the popular tourist destination.
Meanwhile, airport authorities in Bali were in close contact with local officials and issued recommendations for travelers affected by the disruptions. An official from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated, “We advise Australians affected by flight disruptions between Australia and Bali due to volcanic ash from Mt Lewotobi on Flores to contact their airline and travel insurer for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements.”
The eruption itself was significant, with explosive sounds heard in nearby cities. Muhammad Wafid, Head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency, confirmed that the eruption's explosion could be detected up to 85 km away in Maumere. Authorities quickly raised the alert level and imposed an exclusion zone between 7 km and 8 km around the volcano, ensuring the safety of residents and tourists in the area.
Shahab, the General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, stated, “There was an eruption from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, but the impact was not too big. Cancellations are only for international flights, especially in the Australian area.” He highlighted the airport's preparedness and the prompt response to minimize disruption. “We continue to monitor the wind direction. If it is not heading to Bali, then there will be no additional cancellations,” he added.
The volcanic activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has been particularly problematic over the past six months, leading various airlines to adopt heightened levels of vigilance in their operations. With flights gradually returning to normal, passengers were reminded to remain cautious and informed. Tips for travelers included keeping tabs on travel insurance policies and utilizing social media for updates on flight statuses.
Tourists planning to fly to or from Bali in the days following the eruption were urged to check back with their airlines for the latest travel advisories. Notably, while many international flights were affected, experts reassured that domestic flights operated without significant disruption. “Safety remains our top priority. We are committed to providing updates in real-time and working closely with all relevant parties. We hope the situation stabilizes soon,” Shahab concluded, emphasizing a collaborative effort among airline operators and airport authorities in response to this natural phenomenon.
