Mount Lewotobi Erupts, Flights Cancelled Amid Safety Concerns

MAUMERE, Indonesia — Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted late Thursday night, sending an ash cloud 8 kilometers into the sky and prompting the cancellation of multiple international flights, primarily from Bali to Australia. The explosion lasted for 11 minutes and nine seconds, leading authorities to raise the volcano’s alert level to its highest status.

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport reported that seven international flights were cancelled, including six Jetstar flights bound for various destinations in Australia and one Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumpur. Andadina Dyah, a spokesperson for the airport, confirmed the cancellations at 9:45 AM on Friday and noted several other domestic and international flights were delayed.

According to Indonesia’s volcanology agency, the ash cloud observed was gray to black with significant thickness. Thankfully, there were no reports of damage to nearby villages; however, authorities warned of potential volcanic mudflows due to anticipated heavy rainfall in the region.

As a precaution, an exclusion zone of 7 to 8 kilometers (4 to 5 miles) around the volcano was established. Local officials are monitoring the situation closely. The eruptions of Mount Lewotobi, a 1,703-meter twin-peaked volcano on Flores Island, are not unprecedented. In November 2024, a series of eruptions resulted in nine fatalities and the evacuation of thousands.

Jetstar announced that it intends to resume normal operations between Australia and Denpasar later in the day, with conditions having improved. “Safety is always our number one priority,” a Jetstar spokesperson stated. “We will continue to monitor the situation and contact customers directly if there is any further impact to our flights.”

Virgin Australia, while not reporting any cancellations, faces delays on two of its services scheduled for Friday and is closely monitoring the ash cloud. “Safety is our top priority,” a spokesperson for Virgin Australia remarked, advising travelers to check their flight details via the airline’s website or app.

The eruption is a stark reminder of Indonesia’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity is common. When the volcano erupted on March 20, 2025, authorities warned of risks not only from ash clouds affecting air travel but also potential lava flows in regional rivers.

As the local authorities and airlines assess the ongoing impact of the eruption, Australian officials in Bali remain in contact with local authorities and advise stranded travelers to reach out to their airlines for alternate arrangements. Consular assistance is available for Australians impacted by flight disruptions due to volcanic ash.

Debris from the eruption raised safety concerns, but efforts remain ongoing to keep the travel routes operational while prioritizing passenger safety. The local airport in Maumere, near the volcano, has reportedly not been affected by the ash.