More than 50,000 travellers are stranded in Bali after the ash cloud from Mount Agung forced authorities to close Denpasar International Airport.
All flights were cancelled at 7am local time and the airport will remain closed until further notice.
Magma has now reached the surface of the volcano, which threatens to produce a ‘strong, explosive eruption,’ authorities have warned.
‘The activity of Mount Agung has entered the magmatic eruption phase,’ an Indonesian official said on Sunday.
More than 50,000 travellers a day could soon be stranded in Bali as authorities issue a ‘red alert’ warning and Mount Agung continues to erupt. The volcano is pictured on Sunday
Flight cancellations have forced travellers to sleep at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport
Some of their frustrations were aired on Facebook, with customers either very pleased they had been moved to temporary accommodation or livid they had been left out
‘It is still spewing ash at the moment but we need to monitor and be cautious over the possibility of a strong, explosive eruption.’
Mt Agung erupted on Saturday evening and three times on Sunday, throwing holiday plans into disarray as volcanic ash forced the cancellation of dozens of flights.
Ngurah Rai International Airport is preparing for the worst and could close the airport, meaning 50,000 passengers will be stuck in Bali every day.
‘Once the airports find volcanic ash trace, we’ll close down the airport for flights,’ the chief the airport told the ABC.
Magma has now reached the surface of the volcano, which threatens to produce a ‘strong, explosive eruption,’ authorities warned
Customers have spent hours lining up for information about their flights. This traveller is seen at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday
Balinese Hindus take part in a ceremony on Sunday, where they pray near Mount Agung in hope of preventing a volcanic eruption
‘What has been also prepared are the closest airports, where aircraft en route which could not reach Ngurah Rai have landed at.’
AirAsia and Virgin Australia flights between Denpasar and Australia remained grounded on Sunday night.
Jetstar was forced to cancel numerous flights on Saturday and the following morning but was back on schedule by Sunday evening.
On Monday morning, the airline cancelled all flights to and from the Indonesian Island.
‘Flying conditions in Bali have worsened this morning due to the ash cloud from the Mount Agung volcano,’ Jetstar said in a statement.
‘As a result, all our flights in and out of Bali for Monday, 27 November have been cancelled.
‘While these disruptions are frustrating, we will always put safety before schedule. We appreciate customers’ patience.’
Virgin Australia and AirAsia were forced to cancel a number of flights at the weekend and on Monday were urging passengers to check websites for updated information.
On Saturday Jetstar diverted three flights heading to Bali and cancelled six flights ready to leave the island
Jetstar was forced to cancel numerous flights on Saturday and the following morning but was back on schedule by Sunday evening (stock image)
Mount Agung volcano is seen spewing smoke and ash in Bali on Sunday. The ash has thrown holiday plans into disarray
Qantas flights continue to operate.
Indonesia’s Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation raised to red – it’s highest level – on Sunday.
Travellers have been advised to check with their airline if they are headed to or from Bali.
Authorities warned anyone still in the exclusion zone around the volcano, which extends 7.5km from the crater in places, to leave.
The volcano’s last major eruption, in 1963, killed about 1,100 people.
AirAsia and Virgin Australia flights between Denpasar and Australia remained grounded on Sunday night
‘The volcano and movement of ash cloud are highly unpredictable which means we may need to cancel flights at short notice,’ Jetstar warned on its website (stick image)
Passengers wait for their flight schedule at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport on Sunday