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Virgin Australia cancels Bali flights again after scheduling extra services Airlines cancel Bali flights again after announcing extra services
(about 3 hours later)
Virgin Australia and Jetstar have resumed flights in and out of Bali’s Denpasar airport but warn that travellers might not be home free yet. After warning that reinstated Bali flights may have to be cancelled, Virgin Australia and Jetstar have once again grounded their planes over concerns about a volcanic ash cloud
More than 1,000 people returned to Australia via Jetstar as the first planes land in Australia on Sunday morning. Both airlines had resumed flights in and out of Bali’s Denpasar airport overnight early on Sunday but had warned that travellers might not be home free yet.
On Saturday Indonesian officials declared Bali’s Denpasar airport safe to reopen as the cloud of ash from the eruption of volcano Mount Raung drifted away. More than 1,000 people returned to Australia via Jetstar as the first planes landed in Australia on Sunday morning.
After both airlines said they would schedule extra flights to get stranded holiday-makers home, Virgin Australia issued a statement at 9am AEST on Sunday saying its flights would once again cease. Jetstar followed suit at midday.
“The latest advice from our team of meteorologists and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre is that conditions are no longer suitable for operations into and out of Denpasar Airport today,” Virgin said.
“We have been advised that Mount Raung continues to erupt and winds are now blowing in an unfavourable direction, and are forecast to continue to do so for the rest of the day.”
Jetstar said it was looking into providing additional services to and from Bali once the ash cloud moved.
“We regret the disruption these cancellations have caused travellers during the past week, but the safety of our customers and crew is our first priority,” it said.
On Saturday Indonesian officials had declared Bali’s Denpasar airport safe to reopen as the cloud of ash from the eruption of volcano Mount Raung drifted away.
A Jetstar spokesman said the airline had determined it was safe to fly all scheduled services to Bali on Saturday evening, after careful assessment of the latest Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) information.A Jetstar spokesman said the airline had determined it was safe to fly all scheduled services to Bali on Saturday evening, after careful assessment of the latest Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) information.
He said flying conditions would allow Jetstar to begin bringing people back to Australia on return services on Sunday.He said flying conditions would allow Jetstar to begin bringing people back to Australia on return services on Sunday.
Virgin Australia later confirmed Saturday evening flights out of Denpasar would go ahead, and plans to continue operations in and out of Bali on Sunday. Virgin Australia later confirmed Saturday evening flights out of Denpasar would go ahead, with plans to continue operations in and out of Bali on Sunday.
The airline gave the thumbs up a few hours after Jetstar, as they needed visual confirmation from their pilots of the conditions and sent out an observation flight.The airline gave the thumbs up a few hours after Jetstar, as they needed visual confirmation from their pilots of the conditions and sent out an observation flight.
Both Jetstar and Virgin said additional services from Bali to Australia were being organised for Sunday. “Please note that Mount Raung continues to erupt at this time and it is likely that operations could be disrupted again over the next few days if there are changes to wind conditions,” Virgin Australia said in an earlier statement.
However Virgin cautioned travellers against thinking the volcanic ash cloud disruptions were completely over.
“Please note that Mount Raung continues to erupt at this time and it is likely that operations could be disrupted again over the next few days if there are changes to wind conditions,” the airline said.
Mount Raung erupted on 2 July, emitting plumes of ash which can choke jet engines. The volcano is about 150km west of Denpasar airport, the main airport for those heading to Bali.Mount Raung erupted on 2 July, emitting plumes of ash which can choke jet engines. The volcano is about 150km west of Denpasar airport, the main airport for those heading to Bali.
Denpasar airport was closed on Friday because of the ash, along with nearby regional terminals including Lombok.Denpasar airport was closed on Friday because of the ash, along with nearby regional terminals including Lombok.
The ash grounded planes from Virgin, Jetstar, Garuda and AirAsia on Friday.The ash grounded planes from Virgin, Jetstar, Garuda and AirAsia on Friday.
Australian Associated Press contributed to this report