Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas have cancelled flights in and out of Bali after Mount Agung volcano erupts for a second time.
Despite Indonesia’s disaster management authorities assuring travellers it’s still safe to fly, Australian airlines aren’t taking any chances after the temperamental volcano blew steam and rock 1,500 metres into the air on Saturday.
A mere two hours after the eruption several airlines diverted or cancelled flights to and from Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport.
A mere two hours after the eruption several airlines diverted or cancelled flights to and from Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport
After months of observation Mount Agung erupted on Tuesday, with grey ash spewing from the peak at 5.05pm local time
Jetstar diverted three flights heading to Bali and cancelled six flights ready to leave the island.
‘Following an eruption of the Mount Agung volcano in Bali, Indonesia, it is not currently safe to operate flights around Denpasar Airport,’ the airline said in a statement.
‘As a result we have cancelled flights to and from Bali this evening. Three flights that were en route to Bali have returned to Australia.’
Qantas and Virgin took a similar stance and cancelled all flights to and from Australia travelling to the tourist hotspot.
A mere two hours after the eruption several airlines diverted or cancelled flights to and from Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport
Qantas and Virgin took a similar stance and cancelled all flights to and from Australia travelling to the tourist hotspot
Indonesia’s Disaster Mitigation Agency reminded passengers that only a small part of the island was affected and, as yet, their international airport was still operating.
After months of observation Mount Agung erupted on Tuesday, with grey ash spewing from the peak at 5.05pm local time.
With Schoolies underway, thousands of students have flocked to Indonesia or are expected to fly this week.
The Department of Foreign Trade is advising anyone travelling to Bali to always ‘exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia’.
The eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung volcano has caused major flight disruptions
The eruption has forced about 29,000 evacuees into emergency shelters (pictured)
The eruption was considered small although the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the danger zone around the volcano was ‘dynamic’ and could change at any time.
They advise people to stay out of the exclusion zone, which remains unchanged, and extends 7.5km from the volcano.
About 29,000 evacuees are currently living in shelters — that’s far less than the 150,000 people who fled their homes last month in fear the volcano would erupt.
The Australian government advises all Australian tourists in Bali to monitor local media, follow instructions from local authorities and ensure they have travel insurance.
The alert level remains at three after it was downgraded from the maximum level of four on October 29.
Agung has been rumbling intermittently since August.
People sit together in an emergency shelter (pictured) in Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia