Holidaymakers stranded for days in Bali when a volcanic ash cloud forced the closure of the island’s main airport began checking in for flights yesterday after Indonesian authorities reopened the terminal.
Ngurah Rai International Airport had been closed since late on Thursday as Mount Raung on Java spewed clouds of ash into the sky, grounding hundreds of flights during peak tourist season on the resort island.
However, the airport was reopened by the Indonesian Ministry of Transport yesterday after the ash cloud drifted southwest, clearing the skies for take off.
Photo: AP
Long lines quickly formed at the airport as passengers queued in the hope of their flights being rescheduled soon.
Airport general manager Trikora Harjo said things were slowly returning to normal at the terminal, with passengers lining up to check in and crews preparing planes for departures.
“It’s a bit crowded, because of the cancelations,” he said. “I think maybe after one day, or two days, things will become normal again.”
Australian airline Jetstar said it would resume flights yesterday between Bali and Perth, declaring it “safe to operate daylight services.”
Bali National flag carrier Garuda also said it was resuming domestic and international flights to and from the airport.
Virgin Australia canceled all flights yesterday, and is to reassess the situation in the afternoon, while Malaysian AirAsia canceled or rescheduled nearly a dozen flights.
The closure of Bali’s airport saw 330 flights canceled on Friday and chaotic scenes at the terminal as hundreds of holidaymakers milled about anxiously awaiting any news.
Large crowds formed both inside the terminal and outside on the lawns, with passengers sitting and sleeping on the floor as the hours dragged on.
The travel chaos came at a busy time in Bali, with many Australians visiting the island during the school break and millions of Indonesians setting off on holiday ahead of the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr next week.
Some passengers, learning their flights could be delayed by days, hired private cars and buses to travel overland from Bali to other airports on the neighboring island of Java. Two domestic terminals on the island of Java, closer to Mount Raung, remain closed. Two other airports on the island of Lombok, east of Bali, were reopened on Friday after being temporarily shut.
The decision to reopen Bali airport came after the ash cloud shifted away from the island, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre forecaster Steph Bond said.
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