Holidays turn to hell for stranded Aussies

MORE than 2000 Australians, including parents desperate to get their children back for the start of school interstate on Monday, are hopelessly stranded in Bali.

Volcanic ash cloud, which poses a threat to aviation safety, may see them stuck there until tomorrow.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin said significant ash cloud would remain in the region for the weekend.

Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International airport, which was closed yesterday, was due to reopen at 6am today.

But airlines are likely to continue cancellations if the volcanic ash cloud remains.

Both Jetstar and Virgin have allocated a dozen extra flights to fly the stranded passengers home once the route is cleared for take-offs.

Virgin cancelled six return flights to Bali yesterday and Jetstar eight.

Flights on preceding days were also affected by the eruption at Mt Raung, 150km away in East Java.

Eruptions began on July 2 and the latest cancellations began on Wednesday.

Melbourne breakfast radio announcer Meshel Laurie, in Bali with her twins, 5, said she might miss work on Monday.

Melbourne man Brendan McCarthy, due to fly back from Bali yesterday, said he wouldn’t be able to board until at least Monday, and others had been told they might not be able to fly until the following week.

He said he would miss work and medical appointments at additional costs.

“A fantastic holiday is now having a really bad ending,” he said.

The Insurance Council advised people to confirm their travel insurance policies’ compensation arrangements.

Jetstar’s Zoe Knobel said: “We regret the disruption that cancellations have caused travellers during the past week but the safety of our customers and crew is our first priority.”

Virgin Australia said passengers whose flights had been cancelled could change their booking or take a travel credit.