Airlines ground Bali flights after volcano erupts - Jamaica Observer

Flights to and from Bali were canceled by airlines on Wednesday due, to a volcano erupting ash high into the sky.,leaving many travelers stuck on the island.

Least 16 international flight paths were disrupted following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on Flores Island yesterday when it emitted a nine kilometer (approximately 8 miles) according to a statement, from the general manager of Balis international airport.

Ahmad Syaugui Shahab mentioned on Wednesday that flights from Singapore to Hong Kong and various other countries like Qatar and India experienced delays and cancellations at airports in Australia and Malaysia well as in Chinas major hub, in PuDong and South Koreas Incheon.

Samsudin is a 52 year animal clinic worker from Indonesia who had a layover in Bali on his way, to Malaysia and ended up having to stay overnight at the airport.

"He mentioned to AFP that hes staying here of going back, to Java because its quite a distance."

"I'll just hang around here until tomorrow " he mentioned while explaining that he purchased a flight following the refund of his AirAsia ticket.

Australias Jetstar and Virgin Australia halted flights alongside Qantas as Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia in addition, to Indias Indigo and Singapores Scoot reported cancellations on Wednesday at Balis airport according to an AFP journalist.

AirAsia stated that volcanic ash could endanger aircraft safety when flying near clouds leading to multiple flight cancellations.

Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong has also announced the cancellation of its flights, to Bali until Thursday with plans to reschedule them.

In the few weeks alone the volcano with twin peaks reaching 1, 703 meters (approximately 5587 feet) has erupted multiple times. According to Indonesias disaster mitigation agency on Tuesday these eruptions have resulted in the loss of nine lives with 31 people sustaining injuries and, over 11 000 individuals being evacuated.

Outbursts of activity can present significant dangers to aircraft by releasing fine ash that has the potential to harm jet engines and obscure an aircrafts windshield completely.

The tourism official of the island urged everyone to stay calm following the cancellations. Reassured that the island remains "very safe " emphasizing that the volcano is located at a distance, from inhabited areas.

"Balis tourism operations continue as usual " mentioned ​​TJok Bagus Pemayun in a statement, on Wednesday.

Airlines mentioned that it was deemed unsafe to continue flying their aircraft due, to the conditions.

Jetstar announced that all flights to and from Bali will be suspended until Thursday noon due, to safety concerns that prevent the operation of flights.

Malaysia Airlines announced the cancellation of six flights on Wednesday through a statement, on its website; meanwhile Scoot reported two flights being scrapped and four others rescheduled.

The airline companies mentioned that they will keep an eye on the volcanos situation and share any information as it arises.

Singapore Airlines continued to display its Wednesday flight schedule as operational.

"Refunds are available for changes in plans such, as rescheduling or re routing."

Shahab, from the Bali airport reported that the recent eruptions had impacted 26 64 international flights as of Wednesday afternoon.

"He mentioned in a statement that because of this occurrence affecting flight schedules airlines are providing impacted passengers with choices such, as refunds or the possibility to reschedule or change their routes."

Some individuals mentioned that they were going to be left stranded for a days without much assistance expected to arrive soon.

Arsh Khurana expressed his concerns, about the lack of assistance and support regarding accommodation and meals after his Air India flight got rescheduled to Saturday in Delhi.

"He mentioned to AFP that Air India has not provided any assistance " stating that he and his wife stand to lose money since the airlines travel insurance does not include coverage, for disruptions caused by volcanic eruptions.

Local news outlets mentioned that numerous travelers were impacted although authorities, in Bali did not provide any figures.

PT Angka Pura Indonesia confirmed on Wednesday that after conducting tests in the airspace, around Balis airport. They reported that no volcanic ash was found and assured that the airport is functioning as usual.

The airport in Labuan Bajo on Flores island had to be closed on Wednesday until 8 pm time due to volcanic ash, from Lewotobi as reported on the airports Instagram account.

In the hours of Wednesday morning until dawn on Thursday night the Lewotobi volcano erupted once more with a massive ash cloud billowing out from its crater as witnessed by a reporter, from AFP in close proximity.

In culture and geography the term "Man," or Laki Laki is connected with a tranquil volcano named after the word, for "Woman."

The economy of the island heavily depends on tourism; however Indonesia is known as one of the countries prone to disasters, on Earth as it sits right in the Pacific Ring of Fire where tectonic plates meet.