Ash clouds over Bali: Mount Lewotobi Volcano Sparks Major Flight Disruptions

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Indonesia: On Sunday, November 10, 2024, the enormous Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Indonesia’s Flores Island exploded, shooting a nine-kilometer-high column of ash into the sky. The eruption, which is still echoing through the region days later, has killed at least nine people, injured more than 30, and caused the evacuation of nearly 11,000 people from neighboring communities.

As seismic activity continues to jolt the region, Indonesian authorities have upped the alert level to orange, indicating a serious threat. The eruption follows another volcanic occurrence earlier this month, when Mount Agung, Bali’s notorious neighbor, erupted, blowing a thick ash cloud across the skies and causing extensive disruptions.

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, a vital hub for both visitors and locals, was severely impacted by the volcanic aftermath, resulting in several flight cancellations. Airlines prioritized safety by grounding flights to avoid them from flying over potentially harmful ash clouds. This fine volcanic ash can pose a major risk to jet engines, as well as cause sight concerns by clouding windows and destroying sensitive electronics.

Mount Agung erupted early in November 2024, sending a big ash cloud into the skies and damaging nearby airports, particularly Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport.

Airlines were compelled to cancel flights due to the ash cloud in order to keep customers safe.

International flights across various countries have been substantially interrupted by volcanic eruptions from Bali’s Mount Agung. Australian airlines Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas, as well as Indian carriers IndiGo, and Air India, canceled a large number of flights on Wednesday due to volcanic ash clouds.

IndiGo warned passengers of possible difficulties due to the volcanic ash by announcing on social media that its flights would be suspended. 

“Due to a recent volcanic eruption in Bali, flights to/from the region have been canceled, as ash clouds may impact air travel,” the airline announced on Twitter. Customers could use the airline’s website to reschedule their flights or get refunds.

Additionally, Air India halted its daily service to Bali from Delhi. Safety considerations are the main priority, according to an Air India official who confirmed the cancellation. Vistara had previously run this route prior to its merger with Air India.

Scoot removed two flights and rescheduled four more, while Malaysia Airlines canceled six flights and rescheduled four more. The airlines promised to keep an eye on the volcano’s condition and offer updates.

Jetstar said all flights to and from Bali would be halted until noon on Thursday.

Bali’s tourism industry has not been significantly damaged in terms of visitor safety, despite the airport problems. 

In a statement, the Bali Tourism Board assured visitors that the majority of tourists stay in places 60–70 kilometers from the volcano, which are not currently in danger. 

However, passengers are cautioned against entering the exclusion zone close to the volcano and are encouraged to notify their airlines for updates.

Airlines are keeping a careful eye on the situation in Bali. While small delays and cancellations are expected to continue, authorities are optimistic that the island will remain secure for the majority of guests as long as they follow safety instructions and stay up to speed on flight status.

While the skies over Bali are currently ash-like, the island is open for business—just make sure to check your flight status before packing your bags!

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