Flights to and from Bali Resume Following Volcanic Disruption
All flights connecting to the popular Indonesian resort destination of Bali have returned to normal operations after disruptions caused by eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki. The volcanic activity led to widespread cancellations and delays earlier this week.
Impact of the Eruption on Air Travel
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, situated in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted on Tuesday, sending volcanic ash soaring up to 11 kilometers (7 miles) into the atmosphere. This sudden event disrupted air traffic significantly, with 87 flights affected on Wednesday, including 66 international and 21 domestic services, according to Bali’s airport operator.
These interruptions impacted routes connecting Bali to key destinations such as Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Flights Return to Scheduled Operations
By Thursday, flight schedules were back on track. Departures from Bali resumed to countries including Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. Airlines actively operating these routes comprised Malaysia Airlines, Virgin Australia, JetStar, and Singapore Airlines, confirming that both arrivals and departures were proceeding smoothly.
Notably, flights from Qantas and its budget arm JetStar also operated as planned on Thursday.
Additionally, AirAsia’s services between Bali, Lombok, and Labuan Bajo, which had been suspended since Wednesday, recommenced, easing travel disruptions for many passengers.
Airport Reopenings and Ongoing Precautions
Two airports in East Nusa Tenggara province reopened on Thursday following temporary closure due to volcanic ash concerns. However, the Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport in Maumere remains closed until Friday as authorities monitor airborne ash risks to ensure flight safety.
Evacuations and Recent Volcanic Activity
Local disaster mitigation officials have evacuated residents from three villages nearest the volcano as a precautionary measure amid ongoing volcanic activity.
Indonesia’s volcanology agency reports that Lewotobi has erupted 427 times in 2025 alone. Tuesday’s explosion stands as the largest since last November’s series of eruptions, which tragically claimed at least nine lives.
Indonesia’s Volcanic Landscape
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to intense seismic and volcanic activity due to the convergence of several tectonic plates. This geological setting makes eruptions and related air travel disruptions a recurring challenge for authorities.
