DENPASAR, Bali, Indonesia – Dozens of flights to and from Bali's international airport were cancelled today after Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted, spewing a massive ash tower up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) into the sky. The eruption has caused significant disruption to air travel, stranding thousands of tourists and affecting carriers including Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Air India, and Air New Zealand.

The volcano, located on the eastern island of Flores, saw its alert status raised to the highest level on Indonesia's four-tier system following the powerful eruption. Volcanic ash poses a serious hazard to aircraft engines, leading aviation authorities to issue warnings and airlines to suspend operations for flights through the affected airspace.

Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport confirmed the cancellations, advising passengers to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates. Affected travelers are being offered options for rebooking or refunds, as the situation remains fluid and dependent on the direction and density of the ash plume.

Beyond the travel chaos, the eruption has also led to evacuations of villages near the volcano, with residents being moved to safer areas as a precaution. Authorities are monitoring the volcanic activity closely and have urged locals and tourists to avoid areas within a designated danger zone around the crater.

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. This latest eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the archipelago nation in managing natural disasters and their widespread impact on daily life and the vital tourism industry. Flight operations are expected to resume once the volcanic ash clears and the airspace is deemed safe for air travel.