Volcano eruption disrupts air service to Indonesian island of Bali

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Air service to the Indonesian island of Bali was disrupted Wednesday following an eruption of a volcano in the eastern part of the country.

The disruption followed Tuesday's eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in the East Nusa Tenggara region with an ash column of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) above sea level.

Several airlines canceled service to Bali due to the volcanic activity, according to The Jakarta Globe, citing the website of the international airport in Bali.

They included Jetstar and Virgin Australia, which discontinued flights to several Australian cities, along with Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore’s Scoot, and China’s Juneyao Airlines.

The volcano, located on the tourist island of Flores, east of Bali, had its alert level raised to the highest level (four) on Monday, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.

Indonesia, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, with 130 active volcanoes.