Bali Flights Cancelled due to Lewotobi Volcano Nov. 2024

[ZacN]

I’ve just had my Virgin flight from Brisbane cancelled. They stated they are unsure when flights will resume, possibly next week at this stage. I have redirected the departing flight to Perth tonight and then will be flying with Citilink tomorrow morning. My friend was able to get out of Perth this morning on the same flight so I envision by tomorrow with even more time to disperse the ash clouds I should also be fine. Just an idea for anyone stranded and looking for a way to get to Bali pronto!

 

[Harrison_133]

Jetstar have now cancelled all Bali for today.

 

[henrus]

It’s interesting that QF/JQ/VA cancel all flights as BOM current and forecasts show the areas around with ash clouds but on the other hand the Indonesian based airlines continue to fly straight through.

 

[ZacN]

It’s interesting that QF/JQ/VA cancel all flights as BOM current and forecasts show the areas around with ash clouds but on the other hand the Indonesian based airlines continue to fly straight through.

Indo based airlines have authority to redirect through Indo Military Airspace I believe. I think I also heard they have a higher cruising altitude meaning they would be less affected.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’ve just had my Virgin flight from Brisbane cancelled. They stated they are unsure when flights will resume, possibly next week at this stage. I have redirected the departing flight to Perth tonight and then will be flying with Citilink tomorrow morning. My friend was able to get out of Perth this morning on the same flight so I envision by tomorrow with even more time to disperse the ash clouds I should also be fine. Just an idea for anyone stranded and looking for a way to get to Bali pronto!

Isn't the volcano still active, as in still emitting ash? If that's the case you might be stuck in Perth for a while :-(

 

[Quickstatus]

I think I also heard they have a higher cruising altitude

What about the take off and landing?

 

[Pushka]

I'm so sorry to anyone impacted by this.

Isn't the volcano still active, as in still emitting ash? If that's the case you might be stuck in Perth for a while :-(

While some might think being stuck in Bali would be good, for many it would make many issues rather difficult, eg for those who work etc.

For us it would be better to be stuck at home rather than in Bali.

This is the second time we've dodged a bullet. Last time it was the week after we got back, this time just 3 days. And we needed to get back for some important commitments, work and otherwise.

 

[Himeno]

The current forecast (posted at 2330UTC) has a cloud moving west over Bali at surface to FL300, then a gap for ~6 hours before a new cloud at surface to FL150 moves over the island.

 

[hellie]

What about the take off and landing?

They fly through it

 

[Himeno]

Indo based airlines have authority to redirect through Indo Military Airspace I believe. I think I also heard they have a higher cruising altitude meaning they would be less affected.

The Indonesian airlines don't care about the increased chance of damage to their aircraft as much as the Australian airlines.

 

[Quickstatus]

I suppose many Bali Travellers are not risk averse or maybe risk is not part of their vocabulary so it makes sense they want to get there/ or leave come what may..

 

[RooFlyer]

I suppose many Bali Travellers are not risk averse or maybe risk is not part of their vocabulary so it makes sense they want to get there/ or leave come what may..

I wonder if its an acceptance of the perceived risks, or not understanding them? I imagine 'ash' in most people's minds would conjure up thoughts of the powdery grey stuff left behind in fireplaces and hey, what's the problem. 'Ash cloud' better described as a 'cloud of fine rock and glass particles'.

What this is going to remind me to do is to check in on the local seismicity around the Indonesian archipelago volcanos for at least a week prior to my next flight there, to catch a cruise, and be ready to leave early!

 

[N860CR]

Indo based airlines have authority to redirect through Indo Military Airspace I believe. I think I also heard they have a higher cruising altitude meaning they would be less affected.

All incorrect

The area extended south of Bali on the routes towards the east coast. Have a look at the Virgin DPS-BNE that eventually departed yesterday which directed around it. The ash cloud is moving in that direction so that route isn’t available now (not without flying hours extra, which the narrow bodies cant do). Theoretically, you could currently launch a 330 and head west before turning east (albeit taking a lot longer).

The ash cloud area is up to about 30,000’. Getting over it isn’t the problem, it’s climbing through it. Plenty of Asia bound aircraft flew well over it last night (although appear to be routing around it now).

The Malindo Melbourne climbed through the volcanic ash area as I was watching it. Brisbane later did the same. How any professional pilot could do this (or any airline could plan this) is totally beyond me.

 

[muscle_jab]

I suppose many Bali Travellers are not risk averse or maybe risk is not part of their vocabulary so it makes sense they want to get there/ or leave come what may..

Did you just make a generalisation about all 'Bali travellers'? What is the profile of said Bali travellers according to you?

 

[Quickstatus]

all

Did I use the word "all"?

many

check in on the local seismicity

Is the predictability reliable?

 

[Tiki]

Other than Bali and I would assume the airports on Flores, how many other airports have been affected by this? Jakarta, Ambon, Makassar, Surabaya for example? Probably mostly served by Indonesian airlines or Scoot/Air Asia, and able to fly around the ash cloud?

 

[Quickstatus]

able to fly around the ash cloud?

Assuming they are visual flying conditions?.

 

[Harrison_133]

Jetstar starting to cancel tomorrow's Bali flights.

 

[RooFlyer]

Is the predictability reliable?

No, but increased seismicity around a volcano indicates magma rising up from below; there is a particular 'signature' to it. Getting access to that level of detail will be the issue though. And of course it might start weeks before the actual eruption, then stop. But I'll be checking everything I can!

 

[ZacN]

Isn't the volcano still active, as in still emitting ash? If that's the case you might be stuck in Perth for a while :-(

That’s fine I live in Perth I’d rather be stuck there than in Brisbane haha. My mate got a Citilink flight from Perth to Denpasar this morning with no issues. I honestly have no clue how or why their flights are still operating but honestly I’ve already poured thousands into this and can’t really afford to stay in Brisbane any longer so this was the only way I could see myself even getting chance at seeing Bali before next week, my stay’s only until Wednesday morning as well so if I got there next week what would be the point?