Flights to Bali cancelled after volcano spews dangerous ash cloud 9km into air

Three Australian airlines have cancelled flights to and from Bali after a volcanic eruption near the Indonesian holiday spot created a dangerous ash cloud. The groundings affected Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia flights on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving passengers stranded. The emergency began on Sunday when Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupted, spewing an ash column 9km high. The event in East Nusa Tenggara province, which is about 500km from Bali, killed nine people and prompted the evacuation of more than 15,000 people close to the crater. A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said the Lewotobi Volcano, has continued to erupt over the past fortnight. Easterly winds have brought volcanic ash over Denpasar airport as well the airspace to the south of the airport, and is due to hit Bali and parts of northern Australia across Wednesday, according to the BoM. “Volcanic ash is expected to move over Bali and adjacent maritime environment to the south including parts of northern Australian airspace until dissipating late tonight. Flights in and out of Denpasar, Bali have been disrupted today due to volcanic ash currently approaching Denpasar airport and airspace. Airlines and airport operators continue to conduct their own risk assessment of the situation.” <br/>