India’s major airlines, IndiGo and Air India, have suspended their services to Bali following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi on the Indonesian island. The eruption, which took place earlier this month on the remote island in East Nusa Tenggara province, has released thick ash clouds that have disrupted air travel in the region. Both airlines, which operate daily flights to Bali from Delhi and Bengaluru, have cancelled their services to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
IndiGo, which flies to Bali from Bengaluru, posted an advisory on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that their flights to and from the island were affected due to the volcanic ash clouds. The airline assured passengers that efforts were underway to mitigate any inconvenience caused. “Due to a recent volcanic eruption in Bali, flights to/from the region have been cancelled, as ash clouds may impact air travel,” the advisory read. Air India followed suit, announcing the cancellation of its Delhi-Bali flights (AI 2145 and AI 2146) scheduled for Wednesday. The airline cited “unfavourable weather conditions” resulting from the volcanic eruption as the reason for the suspension of services. Passengers affected by the cancellations have been offered complimentary rescheduling, accommodation on the next available flights, or full refunds. This disruption also affects passengers on flights previously operated by Vistara, which has since merged with Air India. The airline expressed regret over the sudden cancellations and prioritised customer support in this unexpected situation.
The Civil Aviation Ministry, in response to growing concerns about stranded passengers, particularly those in Bali, has assured the public that it is working closely with Air India to resolve the issue. Congress leader Pawan Khera, who was among those seeking urgent assistance for stranded passengers, praised the Ministry’s efforts in facilitating passenger welfare. This eruption highlights the vulnerability of air travel to natural disasters, especially in regions prone to volcanic activity. Bali, a major tourist hub, has witnessed significant disruptions in flight schedules as a result of ash clouds. Volcanic eruptions can lead to safety hazards, including engine damage, flight path rerouting, and visibility reduction. As a result, many airlines are now regularly monitoring volcanic activity to preempt such disruptions.
In the longer term, the disruption also underscores the need for airlines to have robust contingency plans in place during natural calamities, to ensure passenger safety while minimising travel inconvenience. For passengers, however, the priority remains to stay informed, follow airline advisories, and explore rescheduling or refund options as necessary. For now, both IndiGo and Air India have taken all possible measures to ease the burden on affected passengers, but the situation serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of nature’s impact on global air travel. As the eruption continues to release ash, air travel in and out of Bali remains uncertain, and passengers are urged to stay updated on the latest developments from their respective airlines.
