A number of flights from Bali to Australia and Australia to Bali were cancelled. Three Australian airlines cancelled flights to and from Bali following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, East Flores, and East Nusa Tenggara.
The cancellations occurred on Tuesday, December 12, 2024 and Wednesday, November 13, 2024, including Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia.
This can also be seen from the flight information board in the international terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.
Almost all flights from Bali to Australia, and vice versa from Australia to Bali, are cancelled due to the force majeure impact of the mountain eruption.
It is suspected that what is meant is the impact of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki.
The travel emergency began on Sunday, November 10, when the still-erupting Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki spewed a 9-kilometer column of ash.
Angkasa Pura Indonesia of Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport also confirmed the cancellation of a number of flights on the Bali-Australia route and vice versa.
“There are several (flights cancelled). Please time we have prepared an official statement,” said the Branch Communication Department Head of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Yuristo Ardhi Hanggoro, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, as quoted by TribunBali.
He added that the flight cancellation was not due to the airport not operating but the airline’s own decision.
A spokesperson for Virgin Australia Airlines said it cancelled all flights to and from Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday due to bad weather.
It also apologizes for inconveniencing passengers while ensuring they can arrive at their destination safely and as quickly as possible.
“Guest and crew safety is our top priority. Bad weather due to volcanoes in Indonesia has resulted in Virgin Australia cancelling all flights in and out of Denpasar today,” he said.
22 international flights cancelled due to the Lewotobi eruption
General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said there were 22 international flights cancelled as a result of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi, East Nusa Tenggara.
He said in a statement in Denpasar, Bali, Wednesday, that these cancellations have occurred since Tuesday, November 12, 2024, after another eruption, while previously only domestic flights were affected.
“For Tuesday, there were 12 domestic flights, namely seven departures and five arrivals affected, while there were 22 international flights, namely 12 departures and ten arrivals affected,” Syaugi said.
Eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki
The mountain in NTT is about 500 kilometres from Bali, which is one of the tourist destinations for Australian travellers. A major eruption on November 3 killed ten people, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
In addition, the eruption also forced more than 15,000 people near the crater to be evacuated.
The Indonesian Geological Agency said that Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has the potential to erupt for some time to come. Therefore, its status is still at level IV or alert.
