Chaos in Tropics: Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano Eruption Disrupts Flights on Flores and Bali
Volcanic eruption on Indonesian islands Flores and Bali results in flight cancellations and disturbances during holiday season. - Catastrophic Volcano Eruption in Indonesia Disrupts Air Travel on Tourist Islands Flores and Bali
Hey there! Guess what? The bubbly Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano, standing tall at 1,584 meters, blew its lid again! This bad boy erupted big time on a Tuesday, spewing an ash cloud reaching a whopping 10 kilometers high. And it didn't just have a backyard barbecue; ash rain fell all around the volcano, prompting at least one village evacuation, as per disaster protection [Rough Times].
The Indonesian Volcanology Agency wasn't shying away from the danger. They promptly issued the highest alert level and warned about the imminent threat of lahars – fast-moving mudflows that can create a world of hurt in river valleys during a volcanic eruption [Volcanic Haze].
Now, let's talk travel chaos. The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation announced that three local airports on Flores were shuttered, leaving around 14,000 passengers stranded due to flight cancellations and delays. And it wasn't just Flores feeling the heat; the neighboring holiday island of Bali was also feeling the burn. The operator of Ngurah-Rai Airport confirmed that 32 domestic and international flights to and from Bali were all grounded, but an airport employee went on record saying, "It depends on the route and the airline" [Sun And Surf].
As if that wasn't enough, airlines like Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Air India, Tigerair from Singapore, and Juneyao Airlines from China had to cancel or delay flights to and from Bali. AirAsia also reported flight cancellations and delays affecting not just Bali, Flores, but also the neighboring island of Lombok [Island Hopping].
But here's some bad news for all you Down Under and Kiwi travelers. Indonesia sits right on the Ring of Fire, a hot spot where tectonic plates converge. Volcanoes and earthquakes are as common as sunsets here. Lewotobi Laki-Laki last erupted a month prior, and in November, several eruptions took nine lives and left thousands homeless [Eruption Drama].
- Flores
- Volcano
- Bali
- Volcanic Eruption
- Holiday Island
- Flight Disruption
- Tourist Region
- Air Traffic
- Australia
- New Zealand
Despite the stunning landscape and lifestyle, the volcanic eruption in Flores and the subsequent flight disruptions have made it tough for tourists, leaving thousands stranded. On the neighboring holiday island of Bali, the volcanic eruption has not only disrupted air traffic but also impacted the vocational training programs for locals who depend on the tourism industry for their livelihood.
