Bali Airport Operations Affected as Mount Lewotobi Eruption Grounds Flights

By 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, data revealed a total of 90 additional flight disruptions: 26 domestic flights, comprising 13 departures and 13 arrivals, and 64 international flights, comprising 34 departures and 30 arrivals. In all, 174 domestic and international flights have been affected by the eruption.

Ngurah Rai Airport’s General Manager, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, confirmed that the situation has become a shared concern among airport stakeholders. According to him, these cancellations represent approximately 20% of the daily total of 400 flights operating at the airport. The majority of cancellations, he noted, stem from foreign airlines prioritizing safety amidst volcanic ash hazards. 

“Safety is paramount for the airlines, particularly those flying from Australia, who remain cautious when assessing risk,” Syaugi explained on Wednesday afternoon in Kuta.

While the number of canceled flights is significant, Syaugi highlighted that the disruptions account for less than 0.25% of the airport’s scheduled flights during the November 4-12 period. The airport management fully supports the airlines’ decision to prioritize passenger safety.

“We understand their choice not to fly in these conditions and support it,” Syaugi added.

As of 1:00 p.m. on November 13, there were 26 impacted domestic flights, split evenly between departures and arrivals, and 64 affected international flights. This brought the total disruptions to 90 flights. 

“Fortunately, by this afternoon, wind conditions have improved, directing volcanic ash away from critical airspace,” he said.

Domestic routes affected included flights to and from Labuan Bajo, Jakarta, Lombok, Tambolaka, and Sumbawa, with cancellations split across these destinations. International routes impacted were primarily flights from Australia, with flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth affected, along with routes from Singapore, Hong Kong, Doha, and several other destinations.

On Tuesday, November 12, 12 domestic flights and 22 international flights were also canceled due to similar concerns. According to Syaugi, the final decision to cancel or continue flights rests with the pilots, who make judgments based on real-time conditions.

“Per aviation regulations, the captain has the final say on whether to proceed with a flight. Our role is to provide the necessary data, but the captain, with their in-flight experience, ultimately decides,” he stated.

Glowing lava and columns of smoke coming out of the crater of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki are seen from the self-help evacuation site in the hills of Pululera Village, Wulanggitang, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Tuesday (12/11/2024).-ANTARA

Affected passengers have been offered refunds, rescheduling options, or alternative routes. To assist those impacted, the airport has set up helpdesks on the second floor of the international terminal and at domestic customer service areas. As a preventive measure, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia has conducted paper tests at the aerodrome to monitor volcanic ash; tests thus far have returned negative results.

“We’re pleased to report no volcanic ash detected in the airport area,” said Syaugi, noting that meteorological data and pilot observations have also confirmed Ngurah Rai Airport’s airspace remains clear.

The airport has an established Airport Disaster Management Plan (ADMP) for handling natural emergencies. Additionally, a joint post in the Airport Operation Control Centre (AOCC) has been activated to monitor the situation in real-time.

“PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia and all airport stakeholders continue to closely monitor the situation, hoping for a quick return to normal operations,” Syaugi concluded. *ris