The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, located in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on June 18, 2025, caused significant disruption to air travel in eastern Indonesia, particularly affecting operations at El Tari Kupang Airport and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.
The volcanic eruption, which occurred on the afternoon of June 17, sent a massive column of ash as high as 10 kilometres into the sky, prompting authorities to raise the alert status of the volcano to its highest level.
I Gusti Ngurah Yudi Saputra, the Temporary Replacement Head of the Legal, Compliance & Stakeholder Relations Department at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, shared that as of 10:30 WITA (Central Indonesia Time), operations at El Tari Kupang Airport were still functioning as usual. However, the eruption had already affected six flights operated by Wings Air, including routes between Kupang and Ende, Bajawa, Maumere, and other locations in the region.
Saputra further explained that although no volcanic ash had been detected in the airspace around the airport, authorities were continuing to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), AirNav Indonesia, and airlines to ensure safety.
“These flights include the Kupang-Ende, Ende-Kupang, Bajawa-Kupang, Kupang-Bajawa, Maumere-Kupang, and Kupang-Maumere routes,” Saputra said in an official statement.
“We are actively monitoring Mount Lewotobi’s activity, and if there are any changes in operational conditions, we are prepared to provide alternative transportation options for the public.”
Despite the eruption’s intensity, El Tari Kupang Airport remained operational, and there were no reports of volcanic ash in the vicinity as of the latest monitoring. However, precautionary measures, such as periodic paper tests to detect volcanic ash in the air, were being carried out.
@newsweek The Mount Lewotobi volcano erupted in #Indonesia on June 17. Hundreds of residents were evacuated as the volcano spewed clouds of ash into the sky in East Nusa Tenggara Province shortly after. #news #newsweek #volcano ♬ original sound – Newsweek
Meanwhile, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, which serves as a major hub for both international and domestic flights, also took preventive measures. Wahyudi, the airport’s general manager, stated that the airport had taken immediate action to monitor the volcanic situation.
“Since receiving information about the heightened volcanic activity, the entire airport community has taken preventive measures, including air condition observations using paper tests,” he explained.
Until 08:00 WITA, there were no indications of volcanic ash affecting the airport area, allowing operations to continue as scheduled. However, due to the eruption’s widespread impact, several airlines cancelled flights, particularly on international routes.
“Based on data until 09:30 WITA, 12 international departures and five domestic departures were cancelled,” Wahyudi reported. The affected international routes included services to and from major cities such as Singapore, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Shanghai, Auckland, and Delhi. Additionally, some domestic flights to Labuan Bajo and Semarang were also cancelled.
In response to the cancellations, airlines offered various options to affected passengers, including refunds, reschedules, and re-routing services. The airport has also set up helpdesks at both the international terminal and the domestic departure lobby to assist passengers with rebooking, as well as providing water and rest areas for those waiting for updates.
Mount Lewotobi Eruption Leads to 24 Flight Cancellations at Bali Airport
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi has further disrupted travel to and from Bali, with 24 flights cancelled on June 18, 2025, as a result of volcanic ash spreading across the region. The impact has primarily affected international flights, particularly those to Australia, although several domestic routes were also cancelled.
The cancellations follow a significant eruption on June 17, which left ash clouds drifting towards neighbouring regions, including Ende Regency.
According to Yuristo Ardhi Hanggoro, the Branch Communication Department Head at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, airport operations remained normal despite the cancellations. “Yes, the information we received as of this morning indicates several airlines decided to cancel their flights. However, airport operations remain unaffected, with take-offs and landings continuing as usual,” Hanggoro stated in a press release.
Monitoring reports revealed that volcanic ash and a sulphuric odour were detected in the Ende Regency area, leading local authorities to advise the public to wear masks and limit outdoor activities to reduce the risk of respiratory problems.
The eruption has not only caused flight disruptions but also raised concerns regarding the health impact of volcanic ash on nearby communities.
The cancellation of 24 flights, which includes both departures and arrivals, further highlights the impact of volcanic activity on the region’s transportation infrastructure.
Airlines such as Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Air India, Air New Zealand, Scoot from Singapore, and Juneyao Airlines from China were among those affected by the disruptions.
This event is the latest in a series of eruptions from Mount Lewotobi, which has a history of causing disruptions in the region. In November 2024, another eruption resulted in fatalities and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.
The mountain is part of Indonesia’s volcanic ring, and the frequency of eruptions in the region underscores the ongoing risks to aviation and local communities.
