SYDNEY — Australian tourists are becoming increasingly frustrated as Australian flagged airlines continue to cancel flights to Bali on Friday despite other airlines still operating.
Flight cancellations between Australia and Bali have stretched into the third consecutive day as Qantas Airways’ low cost subsidiary Jetstar and rival Virgin Australia continue to monitor a volcanic ash cloud over Denpasar airport.
Flights to and from one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations have been disrupted since July 3, as ash from the Mount Raung volcano on the island of Java, 150 km west of Denpasar, has drifted intermittently towards the airport.
Local media reported on Friday that Australian tourists are becoming increasingly frustrated at the Australian based carriers while Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia Garuda, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines and others flying out of Bali have not cancelled flights.
“They rely on their own judgment,” Bali tourism chief Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya said Thursday.
Australian aviation experts say Jetstar and Virgin Australia are being ultra conservative in their assessment of the ash.
In a worst case scenario, volcanic ash can shut a plane engines down.
In a best case scenario, volcanic ash can do damage to vital systems and the airframe when planes come into contact with ash clouds.
Indonesia AirAsia, in a statement, advised that its flights have been rerouted away from the affected areas, but is keeping a close eye on any updates from relevant scientific agencies.
Jetstar and Virgin Australia said they would continually monitor the situation and advise affected passengers accordingly.
Both carriers said they would also look at putting on additional services in and out of Bali over the coming days if conditions improve.