Bali airport reopens but planes still grounded

Friday, 06 Nov, 2015 0

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport has reopened after a change in wind direction offered some respite from the volcanic ash cloud emitting from Mount Rinjani on neighbouring Lombok island.

However Australian carriers are taking no chances.

Both Virgin Australia and Jetstar are delaying resuming flights for the time being.

"The volcanic ash cloud from Mount Rinjani remains unacceptably close to Denpasar Airport. Based on the latest update from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) our senior pilots and expert operations team have determined that flying conditions around Bali remain unsafe," a Jetstar statement said.

Airport authorities had earlier extended the closure period until Friday morning.

"Taking into account the weather change, the airport has resumed operations, said airport general manager Trikora Harjo.

The start-stop nature of the situation is even affecting executives of airlines that do not fly into Bali.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines is due to convene in Bali next week for the Assembly of Presidents meeting.

"With the AAPA 59th Assembly of Presidents scheduled to take place in Bali on 12th-13th November 2015, we are closely monitoring the volcanic eruption of Mount Rinjani on neighbouring Lombok island and the effects on the operation of Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali," said Andrew Herdman, director general of AAPA.

"The Assembly of Presidents is still scheduled to proceed but we will immediately notify participants if there are any changes."

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.