On March 21, 2025, significant travel disruptions unfolded in Indonesia as flights from Bali were cancelled and thousands of residents were evacuated following an eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. This twin-peaked volcano, located on the island of Flores, erupted dramatically, sending a massive plume of ash approximately 8 kilometers skyward and resulting in the highest alert status due to the severity of the event.
The eruption occurred at around 11 PM local time on March 20 and lasted for about 11 minutes. Soon after, Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport reported the cancellation of at least seven international flights by the morning of March 21, 2025. These included six Jetstar flights bound for Australia and one AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur. In addition, several other flights, both domestic and international including routes to Thailand and Singapore, faced delays, complicating travel plans for hundreds.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its subsidiary Scoot were among the airlines quickly affected by the eruption. On the same day, they announced that eight of their flights to and from Bali had been significantly retimed. For instance, Singapore Airlines flight SQ938, departing Singapore for Denpasar, was originally scheduled for 9:05 AM but was moved to 3:50 PM—a change that disrupted many travelers' schedules. Scoot, similarly, adjusted various flights, ensuring that they contacted affected customers to update them about the changes.
As the situation developed, officials revealed that the Indonesian government had declared a 14-day emergency in response to the eruption and established a command post to coordinate ongoing response efforts. Reports indicated that over 4,700 residents had been evacuated from the surrounding areas to ensure their safety. Authorities urged remaining locals to find safe locations away from the imminent dangers associated with volcanic activity.
Speaking at a press conference, Abdul Muhari, spokesman for the national disaster agency BNPB, emphasized, "The people are asked to remain in safe locations and follow directives from the regional government." The eruption's ash, described as having a grey to black intensity, blanketed several nearby villages and posed additional risks, including volcanic mudflows from expected heavy rainfall.
The ongoing monitoring of the eruptive activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is critical, especially given its history. A previous eruption in November led to nine fatalities and a substantially larger evacuation of approximately 11,445 residents as ash and debris affected the area.
While flights were significantly impacted, Maumere Airport, located on Flores island and closest to the volcano, reported that operations were unaffected, with flights continuing as normal, showcasing an effective response in the midst of a potentially dire situation.
By March 21, 2025, not only had international flights faced cancellation and delays, but several domestic flights to destinations like Lombok and elsewhere faced similar disruptions. Specifically, Scoot reported flight TR284, initially slated for 11:15 AM, was now retimed to 4:00 PM, while another flight to Lombok from Singapore was postponed until 5 AM on March 22, a sign of the cascading effects of the volcano eruption on air travel.
With authorities emphasizing the importance of safety, travelers planning to visit Indonesia are advised to remain in touch with airlines for live updates regarding their flights. The region's frequent seismic and volcanic activity emphasizes the need for consistent awareness and precaution among those traveling in and out of affected areas, particularly in the wake of such significant volcanic events.
This eruption also serves as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictability, a factor that travelers to Indonesia must always consider. Indonesia, recognized as a nation sitting on the Pacific
