Flights between Australia and Bali have been thrown into chaos after a powerful volcanic eruption in Indonesia. This marks the second eruption in just two months and has triggered widespread delays and cancellations, particularly affecting tourists during Australia’s school holidays.
🌋 What Happened?
The disruption began after Mount Lewotobi—located about 1,000 km east of Denpasar, Bali—erupted on Monday morning, spewing volcanic ash clouds up to 18 kilometers into the sky.
According to Indonesia’s geology agency, this is the largest ash plume recorded since November, when a major eruption killed nine people and injured dozens. While this current eruption has not caused any direct injuries, it’s had a significant impact on air travel, especially for Australians flying to or from Bali.
✈️ Which Flights Are Affected?
So far, flights in and out of Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) have been hit with multiple delays and cancellations:
- Adelaide Airport:
- Two incoming flights from Denpasar were cancelled overnight.
- One returning flight this morning was also cancelled.
- Melbourne and Brisbane Airports:
- Two Virgin Australia flights to Bali were delayed until the afternoon.
- Qantas and Virgin teams are closely monitoring the ash situation.
Travel tip: If you’re flying to or from Bali this week, check your airline’s mobile app or website for real-time flight updates before heading to the airport.
📡 What Airlines Are Saying
Both Virgin Australia and Qantas have meteorologists and operations teams tracking the volcanic ash cloud in real time:
- Virgin Australia:
“Passenger safety is our top priority. Our meteorology team is actively monitoring the situation.” - Qantas:
“We are coordinating with Indonesian authorities and will update customers as needed.”
Most airlines are advising passengers to avoid traveling to the airport unless their flight is confirmed and are providing flexible rebooking options.
🎒 Why This Is a Big Deal for Travelers
This eruption comes at the peak of Australia’s school holidays, with thousands of families heading to Bali – a favorite and affordable tropical getaway.
The timing couldn’t be worse for holidaymakers, with many unsure whether their vacations will start as planned or be postponed due to safety concerns.
✅ What You Should Do Now
If you’re booked on a flight to or from Bali in the next few days:
- Check your flight status through the airline’s app or official website.
- Sign up for SMS or email alerts from your airline.
- Avoid unnecessary trips to the airport until your flight is confirmed.
- Monitor news sources for updates on Mount Lewotobi and Bali travel advisories.
📍 Quick Facts: Volcano Eruption & Bali Flights
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Volcano Name | Mount Lewotobi |
| Location | ~1,000 km east of Denpasar, Bali |
| Ash Cloud Height | Up to 18 km into the atmosphere |
| Affected Airports | Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne (Australia) |
| Impacted Airlines | Virgin Australia, Qantas |
| Flight Disruption Status | Ongoing as of July 20, 2025 |
| Recommended Action | Check flight status before going to the airport |
🔁 Final Thoughts
The volcano eruption in Bali has disrupted international flights, especially from Australia. While conditions are slowly improving, volcanic ash remains a safety risk, and airlines are taking precautions. If you have travel plans to Bali this week, stay informed, stay flexible, and stay safe.
