DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - The airport on Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali reopened on Friday after ash from a volcano forced a brief closure and the cancellation of more than 300 flights.

Mount Agung in northeastern Bali has been rumbling to life intermittently since late last year and it began belching smoke and ash again on Thursday.

It was shooting a column of ash more than 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) into the sky on Friday and officials said operations at Indonesia’s second-busiest airport would be reviewed every few hours.

Earlier, authorities were forced to cancel 115 international flights and 203 domestic ones, affecting nearly 27,000 travelers.

“We’re monitoring the eruption,” said Israwadi, a spokesman for airport operator Angkasa Pura.

“The airport could be closed again if the eruption affects flight safety.”

Airlines avoid flying through volcanic ash as it can damage aircraft engines, clog fuel and cooling systems and hamper visibility.

Agung towers over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Its last major eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of the disaster mitigation agency said activity was going on deep under the volcano.

“Micro tremors are still being detected ... indicating that magma is moving towards the surface,” Nugroho said in a statement.

Operations at Bali’s airport were disrupted for more than week in early December, stranding thousands of visitors before winds changed to blow the smoke away and the volcano calmed down.

Hundreds of villagers living near the volcano evacuated their homes as it began erupting on Thursday, and moved into three evacuation centers.

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Anxious passengers thronged Bali’s airport, waiting for news about their flights.

Among the airlines serving the resort island, Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya and Indonesia Air Asia said they were working to help stranded passengers.

Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jet Star were monitoring the situation in consultation with Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.</s>The eruption of Mount Agung caused the closure of Bali's international airport

A number of international flights have been cancelled after the Mount Agung volcano began spewing water vapour and ash two kilometres into the air.

The Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, also known as Denpasar airport, was shut down at 3.00 on June 29 local time (8.00pm June 28 GMT) due to the lack of visibility provoked by the ash cloud.

Budget carrier AirAsia said in a statement: “The eruption of Mount Agung today has impacted several of our flights to and from Bali."

Jetstar and Virgin Australia also cancelled flights, according to media.</s>Hundreds of flights to and from the Indonesian holiday island of Bali have been grounded or delayed this morning after Mount Agung explosively erupted overnight. Huge, towering clouds of volcanic ash spewed more than two kilometres into the air from the Bali volcano. Airlines are expected to cancel more flights throughout the day after Denpasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport was closed at 3.00 am local time today. The airport was due to be closed until at least 7pm local time, but has now reopened. In a tweet, the airport advised people to "stay updated for every information from our official account". Find all the latest news and live updates below. All times in BST.

Mount Agung had been dormant for 120 years prior to its eruption in 1963., which lasted almost a year. The massive explosion was Indonesia’s largest and most devastating eruption in the twentieth century and is estimated to have killed between 1,100 and 1,900 people. Lava flowed 7km (4.5 miles) from the summit crater and ash fell as far away as Bandung and Jakarta in western Java - a distance of about 1,000km from the volcano. The eruption began on February 18 1963 after two days of tremors with the ejection of incandescent material and ash flows and the fall of ash, sand and lapilli-size particles. The picturesque island and Indonesian province is a popular destination for holidaymakers from all over the world. The Republic of Indonesia is the largest island country in the world, and consists of about 17,000 islands in Southeast Asia. Bali is located in the westernmost parts of the the Lesser Sundra Islands, in-between Java and Lombok. It’s capital, Denpasar, is found on the southern part of the island. The island is known for its idyllic beaches, lush jungles and incredible wildlife.

8.23am update: Bali volcano could erupt again as micro tremors continue to be felt There was no indication of how long the eruption might last, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of the disaster mitigation agency said in a statement. The alert level on the volcano remains unchanged for now. "Micro-tremors are still being detected... indicating that magma is moving towards the surface," Nugroho said. Mount Agung, in northeastern Bali, has erupted with various intensities since late last year. A total of 309 residents living in a danger area 2.5 miles (4km) from the crater had voluntarily gone to three evacuation centres on Friday. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre are operating in conjunction with airlines Jet Star, Virgin Australia and Qantas to monitor the situation. But some passengers still feel left in the dark. Australian traveller Caitlin Bigg, who was at the international terminal, said: "I was very upset when I got to the airport and it was closed. “My stuff has been sitting on the ground for 24 hours, and don't have any accommodation," British traveller Ross Webb said he was bracing to have to extend his stay. "I imagine a lot of people are frustrated trying to get home and so I'm just going to head back to Bali, extend my stay a bit, and see what happens,” he added.

Bali's Denpasar Airport has reopened after being forced to close due to huge ash clouds spewing from Mt Agung. 'Favourable winds' now mean flights can safely take off and land after last night's dramatic eruption. The airport has now reopened, at around 2.30pm local time. It was previously not expected to reopen until 7pm local time. “We are continuing to monitor conditions in Bali following volcanic eruptions at Mount Agung,” an alert on the airline’s website read. “At this stage, scheduled flights this afternoon and this evening are planned to operate subject to any change in conditions. “Customers booked on these services should travel to the airport as usual. “If there are any changes to our schedule, we will contact customers directly via SMS and email.” Customers who have already had their flight cancelled today or yesterday will be contacted with alternative options. 7.30am update: Ash clouds shot thousands of feet into the air The active volcano shot ash more than 6,000feet (2,000 meters) into the sky yesterday, in a shocking eruption. The blast came just eight months after its most recent eruption, which also significantly affected travel and saw hundreds of homes forced to evacuate. The regional volcanic ash advisory centre in Darwin said winds could carry the ash southwest toward Bali's international airport and Java, Indonesia's most densely populated island. Authorities lowered its alert status from the highest level in February.</s>The popular Indonesian tourist island of Bali closed its international airport Friday after Mount Agung volcano began spewing volcanic ash and vapor higher than two kilometers (6,500 feet) into the air.

Denpasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport announced that it would be closed till 7 p.m., at which time officials would review the situation.

The volcanic activity began on Thursday, prompting several airlines to delay or cancel their flights to Bali prior to the Friday airport closure.

Over 300 flights have been canceled, according to airport authorities, impacting the travel plans of thousands of people.

In a statement, Australian airline Qantas acknowledged the inconvenience to passengers but said safety is its top priority.

"Denpasar Airport is currently closed and we are monitoring the advice from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center and our team of senior pilots and meteorologists will make an assessment when flights can be resumed," said the statement. "While these disruptions are frustrating, we always put safety first."

The Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation has issued an orange level warning, signaling heightened unrest with the increased likelihood of eruption.

Officials predict the ash cloud will move west and southwest of the Island, adding that there may be an increase in earthquake tremors.

Indonesia is the world's most active volcanic region and lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities.

Volcanic activity had only subsided by February 2018, and the Bali Tourism office announced that the volcano alert had been downgraded from level four to level three.

However, there still remains a 4-kilometer no-go zone around Mount Agung's peak.</s>Ash from a volcanic eruption forced the closure of the international airport on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Friday, as Mount Agung volcano became active again after a lull since late last year.

The airport will stay shut on Friday until 7 p.m. local time, and 48 flights have been cancelled affecting 8,334 passengers, including 38 international flights and 10 domestic flights, the disaster mitigation agency said in a statement.

The eruption sent an ash column of 2,500 meters into the air and a reddish flame was visible in Mount Agung's crater, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the agency said in the statement.

Mount Agung, in northeastern Bali, has erupted with various intensities since late last year and in December the airport was also closed for a period and thousands were evacuated closer to the volcano.

Authorities were monitoring conditions, but the alert level on the volcano had not been raised so far.

Airlines avoid flying through volcanic ash as it can damage aircraft engines, clog fuel and cooling systems and hamper visibility.

Air Asia, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin were among the airlines that had cancelled flights, Nugroho said.</s>The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said nearly 450 flights were canceled, affecting some 75,000 people.

The regional Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, said winds would carry the ash southwest toward Java, Indonesia's most densely populated island. Volcanic ash is a potentially deadly threat to aircraft that can cause engines to "flame out."

The volcano began belching ash and smoke on Thursday and several airlines canceled inbound and outbound flights scheduled for the evening.

"We hadn't a place to stay for the night so we had to find something else, just took a taxi and stayed at a random hostel," said a stranded German backpacker who identified herself as Louisa. "We hoped that we could leave this morning, but the airport is closed," she said.

Two small airports, at Banyuwangi and Jember in eastern Java, also closed because of the ash threat.

Agung's alert level has not been raised and an exclusion zone around the crater remains at 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).

The disaster agency said the closure of Bali's airport is in effect until 7 p.m. It said the situation will be reviewed at midday.

Australia's national airline Qantas said in a statement that it's "currently not safe" to operate Bali flights.

It said it was monitoring advice from the ash advisory center and its own pilots and meteorologists would decide when flights can resume.

The volcano, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Bali's tourist hotspot of Kuta, last had a major eruption in 1963, killing about 1,100 people.

It had a dramatic increase in activity last year, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, but had quietened by early this year. Authorities lowered its alert status from the highest level in February.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 250 million people, sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Government seismologists monitor more than 120 active volcanoes.

A man checks flight information board at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia Friday, June 29, 2018. The Indonesian tourist island of Bali closed its international airport Friday, stranding thousands of travelers, as the Mount Agung volcano gushed a 2,500-meter (8,200-feet) column of ash and smoke. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) Mount Agung volcano spews smoke seen in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia Friday, June 29, 2018. The Indonesian tourist island of Bali closed its international airport Friday, stranding thousands of travelers, as the Mount Agung volcano gushed a 2,500-meter (8,200-feet) column of ash and smoke. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) A flight information board shows cancelled flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia Friday, June 29, 2018. The Indonesian tourist island of Bali closed its international airport Friday, stranding thousands of travelers, as the Mount Agung volcano gushed a 2,500-meter (8,200-feet) column of ash and smoke. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) Tourists wait as Ngurah Rai International Airport is closed due to the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali, Indonesia Friday, June 29, 2018. The Indonesian tourist island of Bali closed its international airport Friday, stranding thousands of travelers, as the Mount Agung volcano gushed a 2,500-meter (8,200-feet) column of ash and smoke. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)</s>The international airport on the Indonesian resort island of Bali reopened Friday afternoon after a nearly 12-hour closure due to a volcanic ash threat that disrupted travel plans for thousands.

Nearly 450 flights were canceled Friday, affecting some 75,000 people, as the Mount Agung volcano gushed a 2,500-meter (8,200-feet) column of ash and smoke for a second day.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said tests showed there was no ash in Ngurah Rai International Airport's airspace and the airport reopened at 2.30 p.m.

Airlines are likely to remain wary, however. Australian airlines had canceled flights scheduled for Thursday evening while the airport was still operating. The airport's online flight schedule showed Singapore Airlines and KLM flights scheduled to arrive Friday evening.

Australia's national airline Qantas said it was monitoring advice from the regional Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, and its own pilots and meteorologists would decide when flights can resume.

Volcanic ash is a potentially deadly threat to aircraft that can cause engines to "flame out."

"We hadn't a place to stay for the night so we had to find something else, just took a taxi and stayed at a random hostel," said a stranded German backpacker who identified herself as Louisa.

Two small airports, at Banyuwangi and Jember in eastern Java, also closed because of the ash threat.

Agung's alert level has not been raised and an exclusion zone around the crater remains at 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).

The volcano, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Bali's tourist hotspot of Kuta, last had a major eruption in 1963, killing about 1,100 people.

It had a dramatic increase in activity last year, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, but had quietened by early this year. Authorities lowered its alert status from the highest level in February.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 250 million people, sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Government seismologists monitor more than 120 active volcanoes.</s>Two Air New Zealand flights have been cancelled after renewed activity on Bali's Mount Agung volcano.

Air New Zealand said flight NZ245 from Auckland to Denpasar and the return flight NZ246 from Denpasar to Auckland have been cancelled today.

A number of flights between Australia and Bali have also been cancelled after the Mount Agung volcano began spewing water vapour and ash two kilometres into the air.

Jetstar Australia has cancelled flights to and from Denpasar airport, releasing a travel alert statement on their website.

"Due to a volcanic ash cloud caused by Mount Agung in Bali, it is currently not safe to operate flights to or from Denpasar Airport," the statement said.

They added that senior pilots will be assessing the situation overnight and provide an update by 9.00am on Friday.

AirAsia cancelled the 6.30pm and 8.00pm flights between Denpasar and Perth, as well as the 7.30pm Denpasar to Perth flight amid fears the ash could affect the aircraft engines.

Denpasar airport's online flight information board showed Australian airlines Virgin Australia and Qantas had also cancelled flights to and from the island.

Its public relations department said 26 international inbound and outbound flights had been cancelled, affecting nearly 5,000 travellers.

They said some 10 domestic flights were also cancelled, affecting more than 1,700 passengers.

Other airlines seem to be operating as normal, although are closely monitoring the mountain and the prevailing winds.

Denpasar Airport remains open, but all travellers are being advised to check with their airlines about specific flights.

Duty manager at Denpasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport, Darta Pande, said on Thursday that many flights would continue to operate.

The Jakarta Post reported the airport was assessing whether to temporarily halt operations and had issued a warning to airlines that ash may disrupt flights.

It added that winds could carry the ash southwest toward Bali's international airport and Java, Indonesia's most densely populated island.</s>BALI, Indonesia — The Mount Agung volcano on Bali shot ash 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) into the atmosphere Thursday, disrupting the travel plans of thousands as several airlines cancelled flights from the Indonesian tourist island.

The regional volcanic ash advisory centre in Darwin, Australia, said winds could carry the ash southwest toward Bali’s international airport and Java, Indonesia’s most densely populated island.

A duty manager at Ngurah Rai International Airport, Darta Pande, said many flights were continuing to operate.

The airport’s online flight information board showed Australian airlines Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas had cancelled flights to and from the island. Korean Air and AirAsia also cancelled some flights.

Its public relations department said 26 international inbound and outbound flights had been cancelled, affecting nearly 5,000 travellers. Some 10 domestic flights were also cancelled, affecting more than 1,700 passengers.</s>DENPASAR - Bali closed its international airport following a volcanic eruption on the Indonesian resort island that sent thick smoke and ash billowing 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) into the air, an official said on Friday (June 29).

Ngurah Rai airport was due to be closed from 3am (1900 GMT; 3am Singapore time) to at least 7pm on Friday after a pilot report detected volcanic ash as high as 23,000 feet following Mount Agung's eruption on Thursday.

"Based on the meteorology agency prediction, the volcanic ash will reach the airport on Friday morning," airport spokesman Yanus Suprayogi said in a statement, adding that a possible extension of the airport closure after 7pm would be reviewed.

The eruption of Mount Agung in eastern Bali on Thursday has triggered at least 48 flight cancellations including those operated by Malaysia-based AirAsia and Australia's JetStar.

The disruption has affected more than 8,000 passengers.

Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines.

Despite the eruption the volcano's status has not been raised by Indonesia's volcanology agency and remained at alert level, while the Volcano Observatory Notice For Aviation has issued an orange level warning.

Mount Agung rumbled back to life last year and has been erupting periodically since.

The volcano's eruption threat reared its head again in November, sparking travel chaos and pounding Bali's lucrative tourism industry and its wider economy.

There is a four-kilometre (2.5 mile) no-go zone around Agung's peak.

Agung's last major eruption in 1963 killed around 1,600 people.

Indonesia is the world's most active volcanic region and lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities.
Ash from Mount Agung's first volcanic eruption since late-2017 results in the closure of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport until at least 7 pm local time (11:00 UTC). The ash cloud cancels 48 flights, affecting 8,334 passengers.