Virgin delays Bali flights amid volcanic eruption
Virgin Australia has delayed flights to Bali today after a volcano that caused travel chaos a few weeks ago, erupted again.
Dozens of flights to and from Bali were cancelled on Monday after the same rumbling volcano caused travel chaos a few weeks ago.
Virgin Australia confirmed some services are still affected.
Mt Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on the tourist island of Flores, erupted about 1pm AEST, according to MAGMA Indonesia, an application that monitors geological hazards in the region.
“An eruption of Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano occurred … with the observed ash column height reaching approximately 18,000 metres above the summit,” the agency said in a statement.
It forced the cancellation of 24 flights at Bali’s international airport, general manager Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said, including Australian carriers Virgin and Jetstar.
“Several airlines serving the routes to Labuan Bajo (on Flores), Australia, Singapore, and South Korea have confirmed cancellations and delays,” he said in a statement.
Virgin Australia update
Virgin Australia cancelled three services on Monday with guests to be placed on new flights when it is safe to do so.
Today, two scheduled morning departures out of Brisbane and Melbourne to Denpasar have been delayed to this afternoon as the airline continues to closely monitor ash cloud movement.
“Our team of expert meteorologists is closely monitoring conditions and ash cloud activity following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi yesterday,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson told news.com.au.
“We encourage guests travelling to or from Bali today to closely monitor their flight status via the Virgin Australia website or app.
“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. We apologise for the necessary disruption and thank guests for their understanding and patience.”
Jetstar and Qantas update
Jetstar also cancelled a number of flights on Monday, with affected customers directly notified. Qantas had two delays.
News.com.au understands there are no cancellations so far today to/from Bali for Jetstar or Qantas as both carriers continue to monitor the situation.
Customers will be notified directly of any changes to the schedule.
“Our meteorologists and operations teams are closely monitoring the movement of volcanic ash from the latest eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia,” Qantas Group spokesperson said on Monday.
“Safety is always our top priority, and we will contact customers directly if their flight is disrupted. We thank customers for their patience and understanding.”
Mt Lewotobi Laki-Laki
MAGMA Indonesia reported the volcanic ash cloud reached nearly 20km in height.
“Ash cloud moving from north, northeast to northwest. Volcanic ash is observed to be Gray to dark. The intensity of volcanic ash is observed to be thick,” MAGMA’s warning read on Monday.
“Eruption and ash emission is continuing. Eruption recorded on seismogram with maximum amplitude 47.3mm.”
The volcanology agency warned of the possibility of hazardous lahar floods – a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials – if heavy rain occurs, particularly for communities near rivers.
There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties.
The activity level at the volcano was “very high, marked by explosive eruptions and continuous tremors”, geology agency head Muhammad Wafid said in a statement.
He also urged residents to stay at least six kilometres away from the volcano and to wear face masks to protect themselves from ash.
The aviation disruption comes just weeks after the same volcano caused flight cancellations and delays after it erupted.
Ash rained down on several communities around the volcano and forced the evacuation of at least one village.
Mt Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted multiple times in November, killing nine people and forcing thousands to evacuate, as well as the cancellation of scores of international flights to Bali.
Laki-Laki, which means man in Indonesian, stands at 1,584 metres and is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703-metre volcano named Perempuan, after the Indonesian word for woman.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
– with AFP
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