Bali airport reopens as Mt. Agung ash shifts direction

By Megiza Asmail and Erric Permana

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) - The airport on the island of Bali reopened on Wednesday, 3 pm local time (0700GMT), according to authorities, following news that the columns of ash spewing from the restless Mt. Agung shifted away from the international hub.

But the air transport navigation agency said they are still monitoring the situation closely, together with state meteorologists and the volcanology center.

“AirNav Indonesia continue to observe the safety of the airspace around here, but for now we are maximizing our service and manpower with the re-opening of Ngurah Rai airport,” said Wisno Darjono, operational director at AirNav.

The decision was welcomed by stranded tourists, topping 120,000 people, following a two-day closure of the airport due to the heightened volcanic activity of Mt. Agung.

Hundreds of flights have been grounded since Monday, leaving thousands of frustrated travelers unable to get in to or out of the holiday island.

However, airport officials warn that the airport could be shut down again if weather conditions coupled with the eruption present a risk to flights.

Up until yesterday, officials cautioned local residents and tourists to stay away as Mt. Agung could produce a major eruption at any time.

The coughing volcano last erupted in 1963, taking the lives of 1,500 people.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has instructed all concerned agencies to help the Bali provincial government handle the evacuation of its people.

“Let us avoid the loss of lives from this eruption,” the president, known as Jokowi, said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Jokowi asked Balinese residents around Mt. Agung to remain calm and orderly during the evacuation process.