Bali's International Airport Will Remain Close Due To Volcanic Ash

The Bureau of Meteorology give a warning that an ash cloud from an erupting Indonesian volcano affecting flights in Bali will continue to cause problems for several more days.

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Bali's international airport will remain closed until 8.45am local time on Friday due to volcanic ash rising from Mt Rinjani on Lombok Island. It adds that if travel was booked through a travel agent or a third-party website, they advise guests to make contact with that party.

Bali airport handles 300 international and domestic flights a day and 40,000 passengers.

The edge of the ash clouds are now hovering near Denpasar airport, which remains closed due to unsafe flying conditions.The Australian mainland is not expected to be affected by volcanic ash, but holiday plans of thousands of Australians have been thrown into disarray following the grounding of hundreds of flights.

Volcanologists have warned that the eruption may last for some time with the last one in 2009 lasting 18 months. Virgin Australia said this morning that it has cancelled all flights today and tomorrow.

The airline will make an assessment on the remaining Friday flights as soon as possible.

Sources : Yahoo News, Skynews