A volcanic eruption in Indonesia has caused major disruptions to travel, with multiple airlines cancelling flights to and from Bali due to dangerous ash clouds. Air India and IndiGo are among the affected carriers, leaving passengers stranded and facing significant uncertainty.
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, located on a remote island in East Nusa Tenggara province, has sent plumes of ash high into the atmosphere, prompting widespread flight cancellations. IndiGo Airlines was the first to announce the cancellation of flights, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to a recent volcanic eruption in #Bali, flights to/from the region have been cancelled as ash clouds may impact air travel.” Shortly thereafter, Air India followed suit, cancelling its Delhi to Bali flights scheduled for November 13th, citing hazardous weather conditions caused by the eruption. Air India reassured customers on social media that the airline was “making all possible efforts to minimize inconvenience,” offering complimentary rescheduling, accommodation, and full refunds for passengers impacted by the cancellations.
The volcanic activity has had a wider impact, affecting at least 16 international routes, as well as 26 domestic and 64 international flights by Wednesday afternoon. Bali airport officials confirmed that airlines are working to offer affected passengers a range of options, including refunds, rebooking, and re-routing.
The situation has left many travellers in limbo. Arsh Khurana, an IT consultant from Delhi, expressed frustration with the lack of communication and support from Air India, saying, “There is nothing from Air India, there is absolutely no support.” Khurana, whose flight was rescheduled to Saturday, highlighted that his travel insurance does not cover disruptions caused by volcanic eruptions, leaving him and his wife potentially facing financial losses.
This eruption underscores the significant risks posed by volcanic ash clouds to air travel. These ash clouds can pose serious dangers to aircraft, damaging jet engines and reducing visibility. The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has already led to tragic consequences, with at least 9 people killed and over 11,000 people evacuated from the region due to ongoing eruptions from the 1,703-meter twin-peaked volcano.
As the situation develops, travellers planning to visit Bali or fly through the region are advised to regularly check with their airlines for updates. Staying informed and adjusting travel plans accordingly will be crucial for avoiding further disruptions.
