Flights to Bali Cancelled After Major Volcanic Eruption

The Australian government has advised affected travellers to contact their airline and insurance provider for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements.

A villager watches the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Sikka, Indonesia, on June 17, 2025. STR/AFP via Getty Images

Australian airlines have cancelled flights to popular tourist destination Bali after a volcanic eruption on Flores Island in Indonesia.

On June 17, the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano located east of Bali away unleashed a massive ash cloud 10 kilometres high into the atmosphere.

According to local residents, the cloud can be seen 150 kilometres away.

Indonesian authorities have raised alert levels to the most dangerous and have designated a 6 kilometre radius around Lewotobi Laki-laki as a hazard zone.

Tourists and residents have been told to stay away, and to also remain calm while the government monitors the situation.

While no casualties have been recorded, Indonesia’s volcano agency has warned of potential lava flows if there is heavy rain.

Amid the unexpected development, Australian airlines have suspended or delayed flights to Bali for safety reasons.

This morning budget carrier Jetstar cancelled several flights, including JQ 31/32 Melbourne to Bali return, JQ 57/58 Brisbane to Bali return, JQ125/126 Adelaide to Bali return, and JQ39/40 Sydney to Bali return.

In a statement, the company said it had notified impacted customers and provided them with alternative options.

Jetstar also decided to delay some other flights.

“At this stage, forecasts show the ash cloud is expected to clear by later tonight. As a result, this afternoon’s flights will be delayed to operate later this evening,” Jetstar said.

“We are reaching out to customers on these flights to advise them of the delay. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will contact customers directly if there are any further changes to our schedule.”

Meanwhile, Jetstar’s parent company, Qantas, will delay two flights departing from Melbourne and Sydney to Denpasar, the capital of Bali, this afternoon.

The airline expects the delays will be between one and two hours while conditions improve.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs travel warning service, Smart Traveller, also updated its warnings for travel to Indonesia.

The service advised people to contact their airline and insurance provider for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements if they were affected.

This is not the first time that Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted this year.

In May, Indonesian authorities raised the alert level of the volcano to the highest when it released volcanic ash 3 to 5.5 kilometres into the air.

There were no evacuation or flight cancellations.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Virgin Australia for comment.