Jetstar, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines Flights Hit By Widespread Delays At Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport After Eruption – Travel And Tour World

A volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia has caused major travel disruptions, leading to flight cancellations and delays at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport. Airlines including Jetstar, AirAsia, and Singapore Airlines were affected, while authorities monitor the situation closely.

Indonesia Volcano Eruption Sparks Major Travel Disruption Across Bali and Southeast Asia

A sudden volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia has thrown air travel into disarray, grounding flights and stranding travelers across the region. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on the island of Flores, erupted late Thursday evening, sending a massive plume of ash eight kilometers into the atmosphere and prompting authorities to raise the alert level to its maximum.

Bali Flights Cancelled, Delayed as Ash Cloud Spreads
The effects were immediate at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, one of Southeast Asia’s busiest gateways. By Friday morning, a dozen flights operated by multiple airlines had been either delayed or cancelled due to the looming ash cloud and safety concerns.

Jetstar and AirAsia were among the first carriers to be affected. Seven international flights were cancelled, including six Jetstar services to Australia and one AirAsia route bound for Kuala Lumpur. Additional delays impacted flights to other major destinations including Singapore and Thailand.

Further travel disruptions saw at least five international flights experiencing significant delays. This included a Singapore Airlines service to Singapore, a Thai AirAsia flight to Bangkok, an AirAsia flight bound for Kuala Lumpur, as well as Virgin Airways services to both Brisbane and Melbourne.

A quick review of the official Ngurah Rai Airport website also showed that at least two Singapore Airlines flights departing from Bali were facing delays, further underscoring the wider impact of the eruption on regional air travel.

Flight Delays Due to Volcanic Activity

Scoot Retimes Multiple Flights as Precaution
Singapore-based Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also announced schedule changes in response to the volcanic activity. The airline retimed four of its regional flights:

• TR284 (Singapore to Denpasar) moved from 11:15 am to 4:00 pm on Friday
• TR285 (Denpasar to Singapore) shifted from 2:55 pm to 7:30 pm on Friday
• TR258 (Singapore to Lombok) rescheduled from 7:35 am Friday to 5:00 am Saturday
• TR259 (Lombok to Singapore) changed from 11:10 am Friday to 8:40 am Saturday

Scoot confirmed it had reached out to all affected passengers with updated travel information.

Local Communities Near Volcano Unharmed

Despite the powerful eruption, officials have confirmed that villages surrounding Mount Lewotobi have not reported any damage or destruction. While the situation continues to be closely monitored, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or structural losses in nearby communities.

This contrasts with the volcano’s previous eruption in November, which had devastating consequences. That event led to the tragic loss of at least nine lives and forced the evacuation of approximately 11,445 residents from their homes.

Local Airport Near Volcano Remains Operational
Despite being the closest to the eruption, Maumere Airport on Flores Island remains fully operational. According to Indonesia’s transportation ministry, ashfall has not impacted the facility, and flights in and out of Maumere continue without disruption.

What Travelers Need to Know
With volcanic activity still under close watch, travelers heading to or from Indonesia are advised to check flight statuses regularly and remain in contact with their airlines. While the skies over parts of Indonesia remain turbulent, authorities are working closely with aviation officials to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.

Conclusion

The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has caused significant travel disruptions, with multiple flight cancellations and delays affecting passengers in Bali and beyond. Airlines including Jetstar, AirAsia, Virgin Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Scoot have had to adjust their schedules, leaving many travelers stranded or facing rescheduled flights.

Despite the widespread aviation impact, local villages near the volcano remain unharmed, with no reports of damage or casualties. This eruption, however, serves as a stark reminder of the region’s volcanic activity, especially given the deadly eruption in November that claimed lives and forced mass evacuations.

As authorities continue to monitor the situation, passengers are urged to stay updated on flight changes and follow official travel advisories. While disruptions may persist, safety remains the top priority for both aviation and disaster response teams.