Dubai: Flights from the UAE to Bali have been cancelled for security reasons following a series of eruptions of a volcano in the island tourist destination.
A number of airlines around the world started cancelling their flights since Saturday evening when Indonesia’s Mount Agung erupted. Three eruptions were reported again early Sunday, sending dark ash cloud into the atmosphere.
Flights are avoiding the ash cloud from #MountAgung in Bali
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 26, 2017
Live map https://t.co/hc8LjaLJ7y pic.twitter.com/UcbSNSBPXJ
Emirates Airline confirmed on Tuesday that it has suspended operations to and from Bali/Despansar "until further notice."
Affected flyers from Dubai International Airport have been advised to either take alternative flights to a nearby destination or cancel their trip. As of Monday, the Despansar International Airport has been fully shut down, according to reports.
BREAKING Denpasar International Airport, Indonesia is fully closed for all aircraft operations until November 28, 7 am local time, due to volcanic ashes
— AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) November 27, 2017
“Due to the eruption of Mount Agung, the volcanic ash cloud is forecast to cover the island of Bali/Denpasar. As such, operations to and from Bali/Denpasar have been suspended until further notice,” Emirates said in a statement sent to Gulf News.
So far, there are no affected passengers flying from Abu Dhabi via Etihad, as the airline does not fly direct to Bali, although it offers codeshare services from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta onwards to the Indonesian destination.
The carrier did suspend temporarily the uplift of guests with onward bookings to Bali, as a result of the volcanic eruptions.
“Affected guests have been offered ticket cancellation or rebooking at no cost. We apologise for the inconvenience caused which is beyond our control,” the airline said in a statement.
For those flying via Emirates, flights EK360 and EK361 were cancelled on November 27, while flight EK398 from Dubai to Bali/Denpansar was delayed by approximately nine hours and was tentatively scheduled to depart at 6pm.
“Transit passengers bound for Bali/Denpasar who are currently in Dubai International Airport will be given the option to travel to the nearest destination, CGK/Jakarta Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, or to their original point of departure if they so choose,” Emirates said.
The airline said the dates and times provided are provisional and subject to the operational status of Bali/Denpasar International Airport.
Passengers are requested to check the airline's website for the latest flight schedules.
