Flight Cancellations to Bali Following Eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki
Overview
In the wake of a significant volcanic eruption on June 17, 2025, at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia, numerous flights to and from Bali have been cancelled, including those operated by Singapore Airlines and Scoot. The eruption sent an ash plume soaring 10 kilometers into the atmosphere, prompting authorities to raise the volcano’s alert status to the highest level.
Impact on Flights
As of June 18, at least two dozen flights have been affected, with Scoot confirming the cancellation of five flights on the morning of June 18. This includes three flights departing from Singapore and two flights arriving from Lombok and Denpasar. Additionally, flight TR289, scheduled to depart from Denpasar to Singapore at 5 PM on June 18, was also cancelled.
Scoot has reached out to affected customers to inform them of the changes and has expressed apologies for the inconvenience, emphasizing that the safety of passengers and crew is their top priority. The airline stated, “We will continue to monitor the situation and will adjust our flight schedule as necessary.”
Other Airlines Affected
The cancellations are not limited to Scoot and Singapore Airlines; Jetstar Asia and Virgin Australia have also suspended flights to various destinations, including cities across Australia. Other airlines, such as Air India, Air New Zealand, and China’s Juneyao Airlines, have similarly cancelled flights due to the volcanic activity.
However, airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, AirAsia, BatikAir, and Citilink appear to be operating normally, with flights scheduled to depart for Jakarta. Low-cost carrier Transnusa has rescheduled its flight to later in the day.
Volcanic Activity and Evacuations
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has resulted in volcanic ash falling on several nearby villages, leading to the evacuation of at least one village as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties related to the eruption.
The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has provided updates on the situation, indicating that the volcano is being closely monitored. The eruption is part of a pattern of volcanic activity in Indonesia, which is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is prone to seismic events.
Historical Context
This is not the first time Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has caused significant disruption. In November 2024, the volcano erupted multiple times, resulting in nine fatalities and the cancellation of numerous international flights to Bali, alongside the evacuation of thousands of residents.
Conclusion
As the situation develops, travelers are advised to stay informed about flight statuses and potential disruptions. The safety of passengers remains the primary concern for airlines, and updates will continue to be provided as authorities monitor the volcanic activity closely. Travelers planning to visit Bali should consider alternative arrangements and remain vigilant regarding travel advisories related to the ongoing volcanic activity.