Aviation News – On July 7, 2025, Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki erupted twice, sending plumes of ash up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) skyward—the highest column since last November’s deadly blast.
- The volcano, on Flores Island, has been under the highest alert since a June 18 eruption. Authorities expanded the exclusion zone to 7 km.
- After the first eruption (~11 :00 a.m. local time), ash, lava, and debris flowed up to 5 km down the slopes, blanketing villages and blocking sunlight.
- The second eruption in the evening sent another ash cloud reaching 13 km high.
- At least 24 international flights—including routes to Australia, Singapore, and South Korea—and several domestic flights have been cancelled. Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport remains operational, though affected by the ash.
- Airlines like Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas have canceled or delayed flights, prioritizing safety and closely tracking the ash cloud movement.
- Residents have reported ashfall masking villages in thick debris, with warnings of lava flows triggered by heavy rain.
Key Takeaways
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Safety First: Aviation authorities have issued a red code; airlines are diverting, delaying, or canceling flights as needed.
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Ongoing Monitoring: The ash plume continues to shift northwest, prompting airspace restrictions.
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Historic Scale: Today’s eruption is the most significant since the November 2024 eruption that claimed nine lives.
