Major airlines Jetstar and Virgin Australia have canceled all flights between Australia and Bali’s Denpasar airport after Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted, sending volcanic ash up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) into the atmosphere. The eruption has severely impacted travel plans, with passengers stranded on both ends.
Located approximately 500 kilometers (311 miles) east of Bali on Flores, Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has erupted repeatedly since November 3. The ongoing volcanic activity has had deadly consequences; at least nine people have lost their lives, and 31 others have sustained injuries, Indonesian authorities report. Over 11,000 residents have been evacuated from the affected area as the situation remains volatile.
The airlines have cited passenger safety as the reason for grounding flights, with volcanic ash posing significant hazards to aircraft engines. Both Jetstar and Virgin Australia are closely monitoring the situation and will update passengers as new information becomes available.
