INCREASING volcanic activity on Indonesia’s Mount Raung has forced five airports in Indonesia to shut, while airlines have been urged to fly higher or away from cities affected by ash clouds since the eruptions began.
The Ministry of Transportation today issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) announcing the closure of Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, Lombok International Airport, Selaparang Airport Lombok, Blimbingsari Airport Banyuwangi and Notohadinegoro Airport Jember.
Mount Raung, located in the province of East Java, has rumbled back to life since end-June, spewing ash and causing visibility issues.
I Gusti Ngurah Ardita, general manager of Angkasa Pura 1 airport authority, told online news site Liputan6.com that 16 flights from Australia to Bali were cancelled yesterday.
With the NOTAM in place, Garuda Indonesia said a total of 112 flights from Denpasar, Jember and Lombok have been cancelled today. Routes between Denpasar and Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Narita (Tokyo), Kansai (Osaka), Seoul, Hong Kong and Singapore, are affected.
Domestic services are hit too, with flights between Denpasar and Jakarta, Surabaya, Jogjakarta, Labuan Bajo being disrupted. Lombok-Surabaya and Denpasar-Surabaya services have grinded to a halt.
Bali Hotels Association (BHA), which represents more than 130 hotels in Bali, has released guidelines to ease the burdens of travellers affected by the eruption.
“For passengers who need to extend their stay, the Best Available Rate should be proposed when requests are made directly to the hotel. For bookings that are made through a third party, contracted rates apply.
“For passengers that cannot come to Bali or will arrive later than original dates booked, BHA members are recommended to accept, at no charge, to re-book their stay (based on availability and rates during new requested period) until end of 2015,” the guideline reads.
Jean-Charles Le Coz, vice-chairman of BHA, said: “Bali Hotels Association looks forward to a better situation that will allow all travellers to enjoy their trip to and from the island in a non-disruptive environment.”
