Flights to and out of Bali cancelled after volcano eruption

Flights between Australia and Bali are back on for now as ash from a temperamental volcano eases. Find out how to check the status of your flight.

Jetstar and Virgin have resumed flights to Bali from Australian capital cities following a volcanic eruption.

Both airlines have issued statements urging those with flight disruptions to make contact as they continue to monitor the volcanic activity.

Jetstar will resume normal operations between Australia and Denpasar this afternoon as conditions have improved following an earlier eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia.

For the latest updates: https://t.co/2D8KsyeemJpic.twitter.com/4nsksQADWw

— Jetstar Airways (@JetstarAirways) March 21, 2025

“Jetstar will resume normal operations between Australia and Denpasar (Friday) afternoon as conditions have improved following an earlier eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia,” a statement read.

“Safety is always our number one priority, and our teams will continue to monitor the situation closely and contact customers directly by SMS and email if there is any further impact to our flights.”

Impacted Jetstar customers should go HERE and click “Start Live Chat”.

Virgin Australia customers who experienced a delay should go HERE for more information.

Multiple flights between Australia and Bali were cancelled after Mount Lewotobi in eastern Indonesia erupted.

The volcano erupted late Thursday, sending a dark ash tower 8km into the sky as officials raised the alert level to its highest.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1703-metre twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores, erupted for 11 minutes and nine seconds, authorities said.

“The ash column was observed grey to black with thick intensity,” Indonesia’s volcanology agency said in a statement about the eruption that began at 10.56pm local time.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spews volcanic ash during an eruption as seen from Nobo Village in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. Picture: AFP

There were no immediate reports of damages to nearby villages, but the agency warned residents of the potential for volcanic mudflow due to heavy rainfall.

The long eruption prompted the country’s geological agency to raise the volcano’s alert level to the highest of the four-tiered system.

Authorities imposed an exclusion zone between 7-8km around the volcano, the agency added.

Jetstar said it had resumed normal operations between Australia and Denpasar on Friday afternoon as conditions improved.

“Safety is always our number one priority, and our teams will continue to monitor the situation closely and contact customers directly by SMS and email if there is any further impact to our flights,” a spokesperson said.

Earlier, Jetstar had confirmed its flights between Australia and Bali had been impacted.

“Due to volcanic ash caused by an eruption of Mount Lewotobi, Jetstar’s flights between Australia and Bali on Friday morning have been cancelled,” it said in a statement.

Jetstar said impacted customers were notified directly and provided a range of options, including rebooking on the next available flight.

Passengers have been urged to check their flight status on Jetstar.com before going to the airport.

Virgin Australia said it expects delays on two of its Friday flights — VA45 BNE – DPS and VA91 MEL – DP — which will also impact the corresponding return flights.

“Virgin Australia’s meteorologists are closely monitoring ash cloud movement in Indonesia following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi overnight,” a spokesperson for the airline said.

Jetstar has cancelled all flights in and out of Bali on Friday morning. Picture: NewsWire

“Safety is our top priority and based on the current forecast we expect some delays to Bali services today.

“Guests travelling to and from Bali today should monitor their flight information on the Virgin Australia website and app.”

Qantas only has afternoon flights scheduled, which are also currently not affected.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said the Australian Consulate in Bali was in close contact with local authorities.

“We advise Australians affected by flight disruptions between Australia and Bali due to volcanic ash from Mt Lewotobi on Flores to contact their airline and travel insurer for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements,” they said.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should phone the Australian government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre 1300 555 135 (within Australia) and [phone] (from overseas).

In November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted multiple times, killing nine people, cancelling scores of international flights to the tourist island of Bali and forcing thousands to evacuate.

Laki-Laki, which means “man” in Indonesian, is twinned with a calmer volcano named after the Indonesian word for “woman”.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

– with AFP

Originally published as Flights to and out of Bali cancelled after volcano eruption