• Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, sending ash 10km into the air.
• Flights to Bali were severely disrupted, affecting approximately 14,000 passengers.
• Normal flight operations have resumed following assessments indicating no ash contamination.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted on June 18, affecting air travel significantly as it sent a column of ash 10 kilometers into the sky. This led to the cancellation of dozens of flights, including 32 at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, prompting evacuations in nearby areas and raising the volcano's alert status to the highest tier. Transport ministry officials confirmed that the eruption disrupted travel for around 14,000 passengers across multiple airlines, including Jetstar, Air India, and Virgin Australia, who adjusted their operations accordingly, according to Channel News Asia.

Following the eruption, all flights to and from Bali resumed on June 19, with officials at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport reporting that 87 flights were affected on June 18. International routes were impacted significantly, covering connections to countries like Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia, with operations gradually returning to normal as conditions improved. Airport spokesperson Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi indicated that normal operations began to resume by Wednesday night, allowing flights to depart on schedule to various international destinations, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Two airports in East Nusa Tenggara were reopened on June 19, though the closure of Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere has been extended due to lingering volcanic ash. Authorities reported that several residents had to evacuate as a precaution, and the situation is monitored closely by local disaster agencies. "Flights were gradually departing and arriving since Wednesday night," Asmadi added, highlighting the swift response to ensure safe air operations, according to The Jakarta Post.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has had 427 recorded eruptions this year, making it one of the region's more active volcanoes. The severity of this latest eruption, ranking as the largest since multiple occurrences last November, raises ongoing concerns about volcanic activity in this part of Indonesia, notorious for its seismic threats within the Pacific Ring of Fire. At least nine fatalities were reported during the earlier eruptions last year, underscoring the need for vigilance and preparedness in the area, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and The Jakarta Post.