Tourists traveling in and out of Bali in the coming days are urged to be prepared for the potential for flight distruption after Mount Laki-Laki on the Flores Islands erupted eight times over the weekend.
Mount Laki-Laki has been increasingly active since late 2024, and the latest series of eruptions have thrown ash clouds into the air, which could impact air travel.
Holidaymakers heading to Bali, especially those traveling from Australia and New Zealand, are being warned to keep a close eye on travel updates as they prepare to travel in the next few days. While no flight disruptions, delays, or cancellations have been announced, with the volcano increasingly active, it is best to be prepared.
The Head of the Indonesian Geological Agency, Muhammad Wafid, announced on Sunday afternoon that “Lewotobi Laki Laki’s activities are still high. The potential for a larger eruption than before can occur.”
He added, “Our analysis showed that the activities of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki are still high so we raised the status level starting on Sunday at 8 pm.” Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki located on Flores Island, east of Bali, erupted volcanic ash on eight separate occasions, with clouds reaching 3km to 5km into the air. On Monday morning another eruption was recorded, spewing ash a comparatively low 1.2km into the atmosphere.
A 6km radius has been cleared and local residents are on high alert for the risks of a cold lava flow should heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Warnings of potential flight delays, disruptions, and cancellations are not unfounded. In March 2025, Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted, throwing ash clouds 8km into the air.
On Friday, March 21st, 2025, six flights were delayed at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, and seven more were canceled.
Six of the canceled flights were operated by Jetstar, with two flights to Melbourne, a flight to Sydney, a flight to Brisbane, a flight to Adelaide, and a flight to Perth all canceled. The seventh flight was an AirAsia service to Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking at the time, the General Manager of Bali Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, had his assurances that airport teams were in constant communication with the relevant authorities to help keep passengers safe and air traffic moving. He concluded, “Safety remains our top priority. We are committed to providing updates in real-time and working closely with all relevant parties.”
In April, Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted again, though no flights were affected. On 20th April, two eruptions were recorded on the seismogram, with an amplitude of 14.8mm to 47.3mm and durations of 100 seconds and 125 seconds.
In a media statement, the Lewotobi Laki Laki Volcano Observation Post Officer, Herman Yosef Mboro, shared, “The eruption was accompanied by a loud band that was heard from the Lewotobi Laki-Laki PGA Post.” Communities were evacuated and urged to wear face masks to help protect their respiratory systems from the ash pollution.
Tourists traveling to Bali must ensure that they take out a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy. Beyond taking out a policy, it is vitally important to read the policy document in full and have a solid understanding of what is included in the coverage.
Tourists traveling to Bali or anywhere within the Pacific Ring of Fire should be fully informed about what their travel insurance policy covers in terms of natural disasters, especially volcanic eruptions.
In the coming days, tourists traveling to Bali should keep a close eye on updates from their airlines regarding any potential travel changes. It is also wise to follow Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Instagram, as up-to-the-minute flight change announcements are often shared on the account’s Instagram Stories in the event of a major event such as a volcanic eruption.
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