Flights to and from Bali were disrupted this week as three major Australian airlines, Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia, were forced to cancel several services due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-lake in Indonesia.
The volcanic activity, which began on Sunday, sent a massive ash cloud 9 km into the sky, impacting the nearby region of East Nusa Tenggara and extending its reach to Bali.
The eruption, which has claimed the lives of nine people and forced the evacuation of over 15,000 residents, has caused significant flight delays and cancellations, leaving many passengers stranded.
As volcanic ash continued to spread, the Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for adverse conditions affecting Denpasar Airport and the surrounding airspace.
Mount Lewotobi eruption causes travel chaos as flights are canceled for safety reasons.Easterly winds were expected to carry the ash over Bali and parts of northern Australia, leading to disruptions in air travel until the ash cloud dissipated.
The airlines, prioritizing safety, immediately began assessing the risks associated with flying through these hazardous conditions.
Qantas reported delays on two return flights from Australia to Bali, while Virgin Australia canceled ten flights scheduled for Wednesday, citing the ongoing volcanic ash hazard.
The airline assured passengers that their safety was paramount and that efforts were underway to minimize disruption.
Similarly, Jetstar confirmed that flights to and from Bali were grounded due to the eruption, stressing that the safety of travelers was their top priority.
The ongoing volcanic eruption at Mount Lewotobi continues to create dangerous conditions in the region, with experts forecasting that volcanic activity may persist.
For travelers, this means that disruptions in air travel could continue for the next several days, with airlines urging customers to check the latest flight updates before traveling.