Travel chaos as volcano ash suspends Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia and AirAsia flights to and from Bali
Flights between Australia and Bali have been grounded due to multiple volcanic eruptions near the popular holiday island, throwing the travel plans of hundreds of passengers into disrray.
Flights between Australia and Bali have been grounded due to multiple volcanic eruptions near the popular holiday island, throwing the travel plans of hundreds of passengers into disrray.
Jetstar and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights due to ash clouds from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia, which has had several eruptions in recent days.
Qantas has 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 Wednesday.
One AirAsia plane bound for Bali departed Perth on Tuesday night but later one has been delayed.
Two Wednesday morning flights have been cancelled.
Christine Sutherland is among hundreds of impacted travellers whose holiday plans have been thrown into chaos.
We are a party of 20 people and all of our flights have been cancelled, she told Perth Now.
School children were seen running from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia when it first erupted (pictured)
Residents watch the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki from the village of Eputobi
We are trying to find accommodation for the night with room costs now going up by 40 per cent.
We have rebooked our flight for Wednesday night so we hope we can leave.
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 has risen up to 5,500m altitude.
Travellers have been urged to contact their airline to check for any flight changes or cancellations.
Travellers have been urged to contact their airline to check for any flight changes or cancellations.
Its up to airlines to make the decision to fly in the conditions.
Holidaymakers were stranded at Perth airport after Jetstar and Virgin Australia cancelled their flights to Bali (pictured)
Travellers are urged to check if their flight has been cancelled or delayed (pictured stock photo of tourists on Balis Kuta Beach)
The volcano erupted on Sunday which killed nine people and spewed ash 9km into the air.
Indonesian authorities have been trying 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 hazardous to fly.
