Air India Flight Diverts Due to Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruption
Flight Disruptions Following Volcanic Eruption
New Delhi, June 18: On Wednesday, numerous flights to and from Bali, Indonesia, faced cancellations after the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted. In response, Air India flight AI2145, which was en route from Delhi to Bali, was instructed to return to Delhi to ensure passenger safety, as confirmed by the airline.
The eruption took place on Flores Island, where the 1,584-meter volcano prompted authorities to elevate its alert status to the highest tier on Indonesia's four-level scale.
An Air India representative stated that flight AI2145 successfully returned to Delhi, allowing all passengers to disembark safely.
The spokesperson expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to travelers and mentioned that efforts were made to minimize disruption, including providing hotel accommodations for affected passengers. They were also offered full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options.
According to Angkasa Pura Indonesia, the operator of Bali's airport, several flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport were canceled due to the volcanic activity of Lewotobi Laki-Laki.
Additionally, multiple domestic flights operated by AirAsia were also canceled. Jetstar reported that flights to and from Bali were canceled, although some afternoon departures were delayed as the ash cloud was anticipated to dissipate later in the evening.
The international airport's web portal in Bali indicated cancellations from Air New Zealand, Singapore's Tigerair, and China's Juneyao Airlines.
Volcanic ash began to fall on nearby villages late Tuesday, leading to the evacuation of at least one community, as reported by Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency.
Forecasts suggest that the volcanic ash cloud is expected to clear by later tonight.
Lewotobi is a twin volcano situated in the southeastern region of Flores, Indonesia, featuring two peaks: the Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes. The more active Lewotobi Laki-laki is located approximately 2.1 km northwest of the taller Lewotobi Perempuan.