Volcanic Eruption Causes Bali Airport Closure

Nearly 20,000 people were left stranded on Friday as Denpasar airport on the Indonesian resort island of Bali was forced to close because of a volcanic eruption.

Mount Raung in East Java has been erupting for nearly a week, forcing several airports to close and causing widespread flight disruption.

"Bali airport will remain closed until noon on Saturday," Farid Indra Nugraha, a spokesman for airport operator Angkasa Pura 1, said in a text message.

Two of the five airports that had been closed earlier on Friday have been re-opened, Nugraha added.

More than 200 domestic and international flights were cancelled in Bali, the airport's general manager Trikora Harjo said.

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia had resumed operating some routes but cancelled all its flights to and from Bali.

"Bali is our second largest hub and this will also affect our international connecting flights," said Ikhsan Rosan, a spokesman for the airline.