Flights Cancelled Following Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia

JAKARTA, 21 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – At least seven international flights from Indonesia’s popular tourist island of Bali have been cancelled following a significant volcanic eruption in the country’s eastern region, an airport official confirmed on Friday.

Eruption Details

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a twin-peaked volcano standing at 1,703 metres (5,587 feet) on Flores Island, erupted late Thursday, spewing dark volcanic ash up to eight kilometres into the atmosphere. The eruption lasted 11 minutes and nine seconds, prompting authorities to escalate the volcano’s alert status to the highest level.

Flight Disruptions

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport confirmed the cancellations, while several other flights—both domestic and international—faced delays due to the spread of volcanic ash.

Impact on Nearby Areas

Despite the intensity of the eruption, no significant damage has been reported in nearby villages. However, Indonesia’s volcanology agency issued a warning about the potential risk of volcanic mudflows due to heavy rainfall in the region.

The authorities have established an exclusion zone of seven to eight kilometres (four to five miles) around the volcano as a precautionary measure.

Historical Context & Geological Background

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, whose name means “man” in Indonesian, is part of a twin-volcano system with Lewotobi Perempuan (“woman”), which remains relatively calm.

The volcano had erupted multiple times in November 2024, causing:

Nine fatalities

Mass flight cancellations affecting Bali

Thousands of evacuations

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, is home to over 130 active volcanoes and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

Safety Measures & Future Outlook

The Indonesian authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents and travellers to adhere to official advisories. Air traffic controllers remain on high alert, assessing ongoing risks to aviation.

Travellers are advised to check with their airlines for flight status updates as further disruptions may occur depending on volcanic activity.