Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, the twin-peaked stratovolcano in East Flores, has entered a heightened eruptive phase in September 2026, generating ash clouds that have affected domestic air routes across the Indonesian archipelago.
What Has Happened
The volcano, located in East Nusa Tenggara province on Flores island, produced multiple ash columns reaching several thousand metres above the crater during eruptions in early September. The Indonesian Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the alert level and instituted an exclusion zone around the crater.
Volcanic ash at altitude poses a direct risk to jet engines and windscreens - airlines are required to reroute or cancel when ash clouds intersect published flight paths. Indonesian authorities issued Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAAs) affecting airspace over East Nusa Tenggara and corridors used by routes linking eastern Indonesia to Bali, Lombok, and Java.
Which Routes Are Affected
The disruption is primarily to domestic routes, particularly:
- Bali (DPS) ↔ Kupang (KOE) - routes over or near East Nusa Tenggara
- Jakarta (CGK) ↔ Maumere (MOF) - Flores’s main airport, closest to the eruption
- Bali (DPS) ↔ Labuan Bajo (LBJ) - popular gateway to Komodo National Park
Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) itself is not in the direct ash corridor, but passengers booked on routes that overfly the affected airspace should expect delays or rerouting until the ash column disperses. Lombok Airport (LOP) has similarly not been closed but some connecting services have been rescheduled.
Flights from Europe and Australia to Bali via Singapore, Doha or other hubs are not currently affected - the disruption is domestic, not on international trunk routes into Bali.
What to Do If You Are Travelling
Check before you fly. Contact your airline or check its app before travelling to the airport. The situation changes quickly - a route clear this morning may be disrupted by afternoon if eruption intensity increases.
Komodo / Flores travellers: If you are heading to Labuan Bajo, consider whether an alternative routing via Jakarta and an overland-ferry combination is viable if direct Bali–Labuan Bajo flights are cancelled. Ferries from Lombok to Flores are available for those with more flexible itineraries.
Travel insurance: Volcanic disruption is typically covered under travel delay or cancellation clauses if the airline cancels your flight. Check your policy before requesting a refund or rebooking fee waiver.
Monitoring the Situation
PVMBG publishes daily volcano bulletins at vsi.esdm.go.id - look for Lewotobi Laki-Laki in the East Nusa Tenggara listings. The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) issues advisories affecting Indonesian airspace. AirNav Indonesia coordinates NOTAMs for affected airports.
We will update this article if the situation escalates to affect international routes into Bali.