Bali’s airport chaos leaves travelers stranded after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s eruption on June 17, 2025.
Mount Lewotobi Eruption Disrupts Bali Travel, Grounds Dozens of Flights
On June 17, 2025, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584-meter volcano on Flores Island, erupted at 5:35 PM local time, spewing a 10-kilometer-high ash cloud that has thrown Bali’s tourism hub into chaos. Dozens of flights to and from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport were canceled, stranding thousands of travelers. The eruption, the latest in a series of volcanic activity in Indonesia, has raised safety concerns and disrupted holiday plans.
The Eruption and Its Impact
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located 830 kilometers east of Bali in East Nusa Tenggara, unleashed a thick grey ash plume visible from 150 kilometers away, prompting Indonesia’s volcanology agency to raise the alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system. The eruption forced the closure of Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere until Thursday and canceled at least 24 flights to and from Bali, including routes by Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, TigerAir, and Juneyao Airlines.
Travelers like Scarlett Cvitanovich, a New Zealand journalist stranded on Flores, reported a serene atmosphere despite the chaos, saying, “It’s a blue morning here, no ash or smell, but my Air New Zealand flight’s canceled.” Others vented frustration on X, with one user posting, “Stuck in Bali with no flight out—volcano’s got me grounded!” The ash cloud, which reached 6.8 miles high, poses risks to aircraft engines, leading airlines to prioritize safety. Jetstar noted, “Safety’s our top priority—we’re monitoring the ash cloud and contacting affected passengers.”
Bali’s Tourism at Risk
Bali, a global tourism hotspot, welcomed over 5 million visitors in 2024, many drawn to its beaches, temples, and nightlife. The eruption threatens this vital industry, especially after November 2024’s deadly eruptions of the same volcano, which killed 10 people, injured dozens, and canceled scores of flights. No casualties are reported this time, but local authorities evacuated two villages near the volcano, with streets blanketed in ash, gravel, and sand. Heavy rainfall could trigger dangerous lava flows, adding to concerns.
The timing couldn’t be worse, with peak travel season underway. Airlines like Singapore Airlines and Qantas are monitoring conditions, with Qantas expecting to resume some flights later today with delays. Bali’s airport remains operational, but helpdesks are swamped, offering refunds, rebookings, or water and rest areas for stranded passengers.