Several international flights between Australia and Bali have been cancelled after Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted.
The eruption on Monday sent ash and other volcanic material as high as 18 kilometres into the sky, causing at least three Virgin Australia-operated flights and two Jetstar flights to be cancelled.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which has erupted for a second time in as many months, has also caused multiple delays to international flights.
MAGMA, Indonesia’s internal geohazard and volcanology agency, issued its highest-level emergency alert on the island of Flores following the eruption.
‘An eruption of Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano occurred … with the observed ash column height reaching approximately 18,000m above the summit,’ the agency said.
The volcano released searing gas clouds down the slopes of Mount Lewtobi during the eruption.
‘Some Virgin Australia Bali services have been cancelled following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi earlier today,’ a Virgin Australia spokesperson told the ABC.
‘The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority and our team of expert meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation and ash cloud activity.
Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted on Monday for the second time in as many months (pictured)
Mount Lewotobi spews volcanic materials during an eruption in East Flores, which has led to international flight cancellations between Australia and Indonesia
‘We regret the impact of this on guests’ travel plans and encourage guests travelling to or from Bali to closely monitor their flight status via the Virgin Australia website or app.’
Two Bali-bound Jetstar flights scheduled to take-off on Monday have both been cancelled.
The Perth Airport website states JQ106 due to take-off at 4:20pm AWST and JQ116 due to depart at 4:40pm are no longer in operation.
Qantas passengers can expect long delays with flights QF43 from Sydney and QF45 from Melbourne to Denpasar, Bali, both due to depart at 4:20pm AEST on Monday, delayed until at least 8pm AEST.
More to come.
Virgin AustraliaIndonesia
