Air India Flight From Delhi To Bali Returns Back Due To Volcanic Eruption Amid Several Cancellations

June 18, 2025: Amid widespread disruptions across Southeast Asia, an Air India flight from Delhi to Bali (AI2145) was forced to return mid-air on Tuesday due to reports of a volcanic eruption near its destination. The decision was taken “in the interest of safety,” according to the airline, and all passengers landed safely back in Delhi.

An Air India official confirmed: “Flight AI2145 on June 18, 2025, from Delhi to Bali was advised to air return to Delhi due to reports of a volcanic eruption near the Bali airport. The flight landed safely and all passengers were disembarked.”

To minimise the impact on passengers, Air India has offered hotel accommodation, full refunds for cancellations, and complimentary rescheduling options.

The disruption followed the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584-meter volcano on the island of Flores, which sent an ash plume 10 kilometres into the atmosphere. This led to the cancellation of multiple international flights to and from Bali by various airlines, including Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Tigerair, and Juneyao Airlines.

According to Bali’s airport authorities, more than 80 international flights have been canceled over the past two days, adding to a wave of disruptions already affecting Indian aviation.

In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has intensified inspections after a tragic Ahmedabad crash, leading to additional Air India flight cancellations. The airline grounded six more flights for safety inspections. A San Francisco–Kolkata–Mumbai flight had to be diverted to Kolkata due to engine issues on a Boeing 777-200, and a scheduled Ahmedabad–London Gatwick flight was also canceled due to aircraft unavailability.

As concerns around maintenance and operational readiness grow, aviation regulators are keeping a close watch on safety compliance across domestic and international routes.