A powerful eruption from Mount Lewotobi in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has caused major disruptions to both domestic and international flights. The eruption, which occurred on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) at 5:35 p.m. local time, sent volcanic ash soaring 10,000 meters above the summit, forcing authorities to close several airports and triggering widespread flight cancellations.
The impact of eruption of Mount Lewotobi was immediately felt across the region. Three airports — Frans Seda Maumere Airport in Sikka Regency, Bajawa Airport, and the airport in Ende Regency — were shut down following the eruption. The volcanic ash cloud quickly spread, affecting air routes, especially those bound for Bali.
Flights to Bali became the most heavily affected, with many international airlines forced to cancel scheduled services. According to Reuters (Wednesday, June 18, 2025), several flights from India, Singapore, and Australia to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar were cancelled.
Singapore Airlines called off four flights connecting Bali and Singapore. Its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, also cancelled flights to both Bali and Lombok. Jetstar Airways followed suit, cancelling several morning flights from Australia to Bali and warning that afternoon flights would likely face delays.
Read also: Prabowo Pushes to Open More Airports across Indonesia, Targets Direct Flights from Singapore
Air New Zealand, as reported by The Guardian, also took immediate action by cancelling two flights between Bali and Auckland on Wednesday. “Safety is always our top priority, and we will only operate to and from Denpasar when it is safe to fly,” the airline said.
Several other airlines also halted operations due to safety concerns. Air India, Singapore’s TigerAir, and China’s Juneyao Airlines all cancelled flights affected by the eruption. Additionally, some of AirAsia’s domestic flights heading to Labuan Bajo in Flores were cancelled.
The situation remains under close observation, as airlines and airport authorities monitor the movement of volcanic ash to ensure the safety of passengers and crews.
 has caused major disruptions to both domestic and international flights.){kind=link}