Dozens of international flights to and from Bali and Lombok have been cancelled due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi, East Nusa Tenggara. Volcanic ash from the mountain’s eruption, which is about 500 km from Bali, is considered to endanger flights.
Cancellations have been made since Tuesday, November 12, 2024, so many tourists are forced to delay their departure.
Previously, domestic flights had been cancelled first. As reported by DetikNews, the General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, said that initially, only domestic flights were affected.
“For Tuesday, there are 12 domestic flights, namely seven departures and five arrivals affected, while there are 22 international flights, namely 12 departures and ten arrivals affected,” Syaugi explained, as quoted by Antara.
As a result of the cancellation, the airline gave passengers the option of a refund, rescheduling, or re-routing.
Apart from Bali, Lombok Airport was also affected. A total of 26 flights at Lombok Airport, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), were cancelled on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
This cancellation was made due to the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara. The Lombok Airport Authority has issued an announcement regarding the latest conditions related to the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi.
The Stakeholder Relations Manager of PT Angkasa Pura (AP) I Lombok Airport, Arief Haryanto, said that 26 flights to and from Lombok Aicancelledre were cancelled, and 14 flights were delayed.
Alternative transportation out of Lombok
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi affected the cessation of operations of several airports and flights around the eruption area.
For this reason, the Ministry of Transportation is preparing sea transportation to ensure smooth logistics transit due to Mount Lewotobi’s eruption. The airport and flights were temporarily suspended in East Flores Regency due to the eruption of Mount Lewotocy.
Five ports are the destinations of the relief ships. Four are located in West Nusa Tenggara: Sape Port, Labuhan Lombok Port, Lembar Port, and Bima Port. Meanwhile, Benoa Port is located in Bali.
Budi said his staff had adjusted the KM Egon route, which regularly serves the Waingapu-Lembar route to Labuan Bajo-Lembar. The ship, which is scheduled to arrive at Lembar Port today at 6 p.m., will transport 100 tourists to Labuan Bajo.
In addition, the Ministry of Transportation is also preparing fast boats to serve the Labuan Bajo-Sape route, which will then be directed to airports that are not affected.
Alternative to Gilimanuk – Surabaya
Tourists in Bali who need to leave soon can try taking a ferry from Gilimanuk Port. From there, they can choose a boat to Ketapang Port.
When you arrive at Ketapang Port, you can take a train from Banyuwangi Baru station to Surabaya and take an international flight from Juanda Airport.
Komodo Airport Closed, 3,292 Tourists Evacuated Out of Labuan Bajo by Boat
Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has been closed for five days due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, NTT.
As a result, many tourists were stuck in Labuan Bajo because the airport never opened. As a result, domestic and foreign tourists are forced to use ships.
Thousands of tourists, both domestic and foreign, were seen crowding the Labuan Bajo Marina Port terminal. They queued for hours to get boat tickets.
