Australia: Volcanic ash forces flights to stay grounded

Sydney: Indonesian volcanic ash clouds have forced the cancellation of all flights from the Australian city of Perth to Bali today. [caption id=“attachment_1552277” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image used for representational purpose only. Reuters[/caption] At least six international flights from Perth to Denpasar, Indonesia, have been cancelled due to the ongoing effects of the volcanic ash cloud since the eruption of an Indonesian volcano Friday, Xinhua reported. The plumes billowed from the Sangeang Api volcano off the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. The major plume affecting Australian aviation swept southeast over the west side of the Northern Territory and as far south as Alice Springs of Australia. The southwesterly ash cloud was nearing Bali but its effects on flights to Denpasar were not yet clear. On Sunday night, Jetstar cancelled 12 flights in and out of Bali as the Sangeang Api cloud drifted towards Denpasar International Airport. Flights to and from Darwin, Australia, have resumed on Monday after they were grounded by the ash cloud. IANS