More Bali flights canceled on forecast of volcanic ash

[December 02, 2017]  By Kanupriya Kapoor

DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Airlines canceled more flights departing the Indonesian holiday island of Bali on Saturday, citing forecasts of deteriorating flying conditions due to a risk of volcanic ash from the erupting Mount Agung volcano.

A Bali airport spokesman said the airport was still operating normally, but airlines such as Jetstar and Virgin Australia had opted to cancel some flights

"Bali flying conditions expected to be clear throughout the day, but forecast for tonight has deteriorated so several flights have been canceled," Australian budget airline Jetstar said on its Twitter account.

The erupting volcano had closed the airport for much of this week, stranding thousands of visitors from Australia, China and other countries, before the winds changed and flights resumed

Twenty flights were canceled on Friday evening due to concerns over ash. Some airlines including Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd have said they would only operate out of Bali during the day, as the ash could impair visibility at night and wind conditions in the area were unpredictable.

Airlines avoid flying through volcanic ash as it can damage aircraft engines, clogging fuel and cooling systems, hampering pilot visibility and even causing engine failure.

There are also concerns over changing weather conditions with a tropical cyclone south of Java island impacting weather and wind in the area, including for Bali, the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics agency said

With some airlines continuing to fly normally on Saturday, there was frustration among passengers.

Australian couple Justine and Greg Hill were on holiday with their two teenage children and had been due to fly out today but their flight later this evening was canceled.

A Balinese man stands at the gate of Lempuyang temple looking towards Mount Agung volcano, in Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, December 2, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

“It's more an inconvenience than anything. Don't understand why if other airlines are flying, some others aren't. Obviously there must be safety protocols but there's no detailed explanation," said Greg Hill, 46, who was waiting at the airport.

Several foreign consulates have set up booths in the international departures area to assist stranded passengers.

Subrata Sarkar, India's vice consul in Bali, told Reuters at the airport's international departure area that they had helped around 500 passengers so far this week.

"We have advised citizens the volcano may erupt. We never say 'please don’t come'. But we have issued travel advisories. If it’s urgent business, then ok, but if it’s only tourism, then plans should be reconsidered,” said Sarkar.

(Reporting by Agustinus Beo Da Costa; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Michael Perry)

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