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Travel chaos as volcanic ash suspends Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia and AirAsia flights to and from Bali

Posted on by Nargang
Travel chaos as volcanic ash suspends Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia and AirAsia flights to and from Bali

By LISA EDSER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Flights between Australia and Bali have been grounded due to several volcanic eruptions near the popular holiday island, throwing the travel plans of hundreds of passengers into disarray.

Jetstar and Virgin Australia have canceled flights due to ash clouds from Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which has erupted several times in recent days.

Qantas also delayed two flights between Sydney and Denpasar due to the movement of the volcanic ash cloud towards Denpasar airport.

The delayed flights have been rescheduled for today.

An AirAsia flight to Bali took off from Perth on Tuesday evening, but a subsequent flight was delayed.

Two flights scheduled for this morning have been cancelled.

Christine Sutherland is among hundreds of affected travelers whose holiday plans have been thrown into chaos.

“We are a group of 20 people and all our flights have been cancelled,” she said Perth Now.

Travel chaos as volcanic ash suspends Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia and AirAsia flights to and from Bali

School children were seen fleeing Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia when it first erupted (pictured)

Residents watch the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki from Eputobi village

Residents watch the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki from Eputobi village

“We’re trying to find accommodation for the night and room costs are now going up 40%.

“We rebooked our flight for Wednesday night so hopefully we can go.”

The active volcano on the remote island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province has seen increased activity, forcing authorities to expand the danger zone, 9 News reported.

The volcanic ash plume rose to 5,500 m altitude.

Travelers were urged to contact the airline to check for possible flight changes or cancellations.

Travelers were urged to contact the airline to check for possible flight changes or cancellations.

It is up to the airlines to make the decision to fly in the conditions.

Tourists stranded at Perth airport after Jetstar and Virgin Australia cancel flights to Bali (pictured)

Tourists stranded at Perth airport after Jetstar and Virgin Australia cancel flights to Bali (pictured)

Travelers are urged to check if their flight has been canceled or delayed (stock photo of tourists on Bali's Kuta Beach)

Travelers are urged to check if their flight has been canceled or delayed (stock photo of tourists on Kuta Beach in Bali)

The volcano erupted on Sunday, killing nine people and spewing ash 9km into the air.

Indonesian authorities have tried to evacuate 16,000 people from nearby villages as the eruptions continue.

It is dangerous to fly with volcanic ash in the air because it is abrasive and hard, which can damage parts of the plane, mainly the propellers.

Volcanic ash can also reduce visibility, making it even more dangerous to fly.