Australia Issues Urgent Warning To Bali-Bound Tourists As Ferocious Mount Lewotobi Volcano Eruption Sparks Chaos, Disrupts Flights, And Jeopardizes Dream Holidays Across Indonesia

Published on June 19, 2025

Australia has issued an urgent travel warning to citizens heading to Bali after the ferocious eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia unleashed massive ash clouds into the sky, triggering flight delays, airspace disruptions, and widespread travel uncertainty. As volcanic activity continues, authorities are urging Australian holidaymakers to monitor their flight schedules closely, brace for potential last-minute changes, and remain alert as their tropical getaways risk being derailed by this sudden natural upheaval.

Bali Airport Reopens After Powerful Volcano Eruption in Flores as Travel Disruptions Loom

Indonesia’s popular tourist gateway, Bali, has resumed airport operations following a dramatic volcanic eruption on the nearby island of Flores. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located in East Nusa Tenggara province, roared back to life this week, forcing authorities to monitor air traffic closely and issue advisories to travellers as volcanic ash continues to pose a risk to aviation.

The eruption, which began late Tuesday evening, sent towering columns of smoke and ash into the atmosphere, initially prompting precautionary flight delays and diversions across parts of the Indonesian archipelago. Although Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is now operational, officials have warned of the possibility of intermittent disruptions should volcanic activity persist or intensify.

Dramatic Footage Captures Fiery Spectacle

Eyewitnesses and local media shared striking visuals showing Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spewing a dense, orange-tinged cloud of volcanic material high into the night sky. The volcano, which rises approximately one thousand five hundred and eighty-five metres above sea level, erupted with force, sending ash plumes as high as eleven kilometres into the atmosphere during a secondary blast early Wednesday.

According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the volcanic ash was visible up to ninety kilometres away, with some reports suggesting that the plume was spotted from as far as one hundred and fifty kilometres in elevated regions of East Nusa Tenggara.

Aviation Alerts and Passenger Safety

Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to aircraft engines and visibility, making aviation safety a top concern during such eruptions. Following international aviation safety protocols, Indonesia’s aviation authorities quickly issued warnings to pilots, air traffic controllers, and carriers operating in the region.

Several flights were delayed or rerouted as a precaution, although most major carriers resumed operations by Wednesday afternoon once the ash cloud had begun to disperse from key flight paths around Bali.

While flights have restarted, travellers should remain alert to schedule changes, an official from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. “Ash clouds can drift with wind patterns, and renewed eruptions are still possible.

Airlines have advised passengers flying to or from Bali, Labuan Bajo, Kupang, and surrounding airports to check with their carriers before travelling and to prepare for possible short-notice changes.

Mount Lewotobi’s Volatile History

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of two peaks collectively known as the Lewotobi volcanoes, has a history of periodic eruptions. Its twin, Lewotobi Perempuan, also exhibits volcanic activity from time to time. The area lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically volatile zone known for producing most of the planet’s volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.

Volcanologists from Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) have been monitoring Mount Lewotobi closely since it began showing signs of unrest earlier this year. The agency has raised its alert level and is urging nearby residents to stay outside a designated exclusion zone around the crater.

Although the eruption appears to be stabilizing, we cannot rule out additional explosive activity, a PVMBG spokesperson. Residents and tourists near the volcano should heed local advisories and maintain a safe distance.

Tourism Impact and Regional Preparedness

Indonesia, with its vast chain of over a hundred active volcanoes, frequently experiences natural events that can impact travel and transportation across the region. However, such events have the potential to impact its vital tourism industry, particularly in regions like Bali which serve as major international travel hubs.

Local tourism operators in Bali and Flores have expressed concern over cancellations but remain hopeful that the situation will normalize quickly. We’re used to these challenges in Indonesia, a tour operator in Denpasar. Safety always comes first, and we trust the authorities to manage this well.

Government agencies are coordinating emergency response plans in East Nusa Tenggara, including temporary shelters, evacuation routes, and medical support for communities near the volcano. No injuries or fatalities have been reported so far.

Cautious Optimism Moving Forward

As Bali’s skies begin to clear and flights resume, authorities remain on high alert. Meteorological teams continue to track ash dispersion patterns, while volcanologists monitor seismic activity in real time.

Travellers planning to visit Bali, Flores, or nearby islands are advised to stay informed through official channels, including airport notices, weather alerts, and embassy advisories.

Australia has issued an urgent alert for travellers heading to Bali as Mount Lewotobi’s violent eruption disrupts flights and casts doubt over holiday plans. Tourists are advised to expect delays and stay updated as ash clouds continue to affect Indonesian airspace.

Amid Indonesia’s breathtaking landscapes lies an ever-present geological volatility, and the recent eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki serves as a powerful reminder that awe-inspiring beauty in this region often comes intertwined with nature’s unpredictable force.