Australian travellers warned to expect delays after Indonesia’s Mount Semeru erupts

Mount Semeru, an active volcano in eastern Java, Indonesia, erupted on Wednesday, spewing ash and gas up to 13 kilometers into the atmosphere. This significant event prompted Australia's Bureau of Meteorology to issue a red aviation alert, signaling a substantial hazard to air traffic in the region. Indonesian geological authorities simultaneously elevated the volcano's alert status to its highest level, advising the public to maintain an 8-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater due to the risk of ejected rocks.

The eruption immediately impacted commercial aviation, particularly for flights connecting Australia with Denpasar, Bali. Virgin Australia flight VA45 from Brisbane to Denpasar experienced an approximate one-hour delay. While Qantas indicated no immediate impact on its schedule, it advised passengers to monitor the situation closely. Jetstar was also contacted for updates regarding its flight operations. Ngurah Rai airport in Bali reported that flight schedules were operating as usual at the time of reporting, but the dynamic nature of volcanic activity necessitates ongoing vigilance.

Volcanic ash poses a severe threat to aircraft engines and airframes, capable of causing engine failure, reduced visibility, and damage to critical systems. Indonesia, situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," experiences frequent volcanic and seismic activity, with nearly 130 active volcanoes. A previous eruption of Mount Semeru in 2021 resulted in over 50 fatalities and extensive damage, underscoring the potential for widespread disruption and danger from such natural phenomena. Airlines and aviation authorities remain on high alert, continuously assessing the ash plume's trajectory and density to ensure passenger safety and operational integrity.