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The United Arab Emirates’ two major airlines Emirates and Etihad Airways suspended connections to Indonesian holiday island Bali on Monday due to a volcanic eruption, the airlines have said.
Bali’s airport was closed from Monday morning, disrupting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers as local authorities warned of an “imminent” risk of a larger eruption.
“Due to the eruption of Mount Agung, the volcanic ash cloud is forecasted to cover the island of Bali/Denpasar (DPS). As such, operations to and from Bali/Denpasar (DPS) have been suspended until further notice,” an Emirates spokesperson told Zawya by email.
“Flights EK360/EK361 on 27 November are cancelled. Transit passengers bound for Bali/Denpasar (DPS) 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,” the statement added.
Flight EK398 from Dubai to Bali/Denpasar (DPS) on 27 November is delayed by approximately nine hours and is tentatively planned to depart from Dubai at 6pm Dubai time, Emirates said, adding that these dates and times are provisional and subject to the operational status of Bali/Denpasar International Airport (DPS).
On Monday, Indonesia raised its alert for Mount Agung’s volcano to the highest level and warned residents in the danger zone around the mountain to evacuate immediately. Local officials also said that Bali’s airport closure could be extended, according to Reuters.
“We have suspended temporarily the uplift of guests with onward bookings to Bali due to the current closure of Denpasar Airport,” an Etihad Airways spokesperson told Zawya by email.
“Affected guests have been offered ticket cancellation or rebooking at no cost,” the statement added.
Etihad Airways does not operate to Bali. However, it offers codeshare services from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jakarta onwards to Bali.
Bali is a well-known holiday destination attracting around 5 million visitors last year, according to Reuters. Hundreds of holidaymakers have been stranded inside the island’s international airport, Reuters said, but ten alternative airports are prepared for diverting inbound flights.
© ZAWYA 2017
Bali’s airport was closed from Monday morning, disrupting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers as local authorities warned of an “imminent” risk of a larger eruption.
“Due to the eruption of Mount Agung, the volcanic ash cloud is forecasted to cover the island of Bali/Denpasar (DPS). As such, operations to and from Bali/Denpasar (DPS) have been suspended until further notice,” an Emirates spokesperson told Zawya by email.
“Flights EK360/EK361 on 27 November are cancelled. Transit passengers bound for Bali/Denpasar (DPS) 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,” the statement added.
Flight EK398 from Dubai to Bali/Denpasar (DPS) on 27 November is delayed by approximately nine hours and is tentatively planned to depart from Dubai at 6pm Dubai time, Emirates said, adding that these dates and times are provisional and subject to the operational status of Bali/Denpasar International Airport (DPS).
On Monday, Indonesia raised its alert for Mount Agung’s volcano to the highest level and warned residents in the danger zone around the mountain to evacuate immediately. Local officials also said that Bali’s airport closure could be extended, according to Reuters.
“We have suspended temporarily the uplift of guests with onward bookings to Bali due to the current closure of Denpasar Airport,” an Etihad Airways spokesperson told Zawya by email.
“Affected guests have been offered ticket cancellation or rebooking at no cost,” the statement added.
Etihad Airways does not operate to Bali. However, it offers codeshare services from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jakarta onwards to Bali.
Bali is a well-known holiday destination attracting around 5 million visitors last year, according to Reuters. Hundreds of holidaymakers have been stranded inside the island’s international airport, Reuters said, but ten alternative airports are prepared for diverting inbound flights.
© ZAWYA 2017
