Bali Airport Reopens as Volcano Looms

After being closed for two days due to a volcanic eruption, the airport located on the Indonesian island of Bali has reopened, allowing trapped tourists to leave the popular tourist destination.

According to Reuters, operations at Ngurah Rai International Airport resumed at 2:28 p.m. local time Wednesday after wind changes started pushing the clouds of smoke and ash from the erupting Mount Agung toward the neighboring island of Lombok.

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The change in wind direction allowed the aviation warning level to be downgraded, giving authorities a window of time to begin operating flights again. Planes almost immediately began taking off and arriving, but officials said the airport could be closed if winds were to shift again.

Many airlines used the window of opportunity to get the almost 60,000 stranded travelers off the island as soon as possible. Singapore Airlines resumed flights to Bali, while Qantas Airways and Jetstar added 16 flights to Australia to manage the extra passengers.

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir filed paperwork to operate additional flights Thursday and budget carrier Scoot resumed flights to the Indonesian island. Virgin Australia plans to operate up to four recovery flights to Denpasar Thursday.

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The head of the weather agency at Bali airport, Bambang Hargiyono, announced the winds would be favorable for the next several days and allow flights to operate.

With unpredictable volcanic activity though, flights may be canceled at short notice.

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