Flights grounded after volcano eruption
Eruptions on Mount Agung in Bali, Indonesia, caused the closure of Ngurah Rai International Airport on 29 June, affecting around 450 flights and affecting 75,000 people, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
The airport was forced to close for 12 hours due to an 8,200 ft column of ash and smoke. Airlines were still wary to fly even after the airport was reopened, with the risk of plane engines flaming out hugely increased due to the prevailing ash.
The eruption also affected two smaller airports in eastern Java. Authorities are currently unsure of how long the eruptions will continue for. Activity at the volcano dramatically increased in December 2017, but its alert status had been dropped from the highest level in February.
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