Bali-bound Air India flight returns to Delhi as volcanic eruption disrupts air travel

A Bali-bound Air India flight, which earlier took off from Delhi, had to take a U-turn and return on Wednesday (June 18) after reports of a volcanic eruption near the destination airport in Indonesia.

“The Air India flight AI2145 on 18 June 2025 from Delhi to Bali was advised to air return to Delhi due to reports of volcanic eruption near destination airport Bali, in the interest of safety,” an Air India official said.

The plane had earlier landed in Delhi, and all passengers had disembarked the aircraft safely.

“Inconvenience caused to passengers is sincerely regretted and every effort has been made to minimise it by providing hotel accommodation to the affected passengers. Full refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling has also been offered to them if opted,” the official added.

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Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts

Dozens of flights to and from Indonesia’s Bali were cancelled on Wednesday after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584-metre volcano on the island of Flores, erupted a day earlier.

The eruption shot ash up to 10 kilometres in the sky, leading to very poor visibility and air quality.

“Due to volcano activity of Lewatobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara, several flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport are cancelled,” airport operator Angkasa Pura Indonesia told news agency AFP in a statement.

The statement added that the ash cloud was expected to clear by Wednesday night.

“Forecasts show the ash cloud is expected to clear by later tonight. As a result, this afternoon’s flights will be delayed to operate later this evening,” it said.

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Tremors still being felt

Volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki fell on several villages, prompting the evacuation of at least one village late Tuesday, according to the country’s disaster mitigation agency.

Tremors continued, signalling ongoing volcanic activity. The geology agency earlier advised residents and tourists to avoid activities within seven kilometres of the crater and warned of potential hazardous lahar floods—mud or debris flows from volcanic materials—if heavy rain occurs, especially near rivers. No immediate damages or casualties were reported.