Jetstar to resume taking passengers to Bali.

Jetstar will resume taking passengers to Bali Monday after Mount Agung stopped emitting ash. The airline will operate six flights from Australia. Qantas will also resume normal services. However, Virgin Australia has decided to review the situation Monday. Both Jetstar and Virgin launched rescue flights today to recover stranded passengers. Both airlines urge intending passengers to check the airline's websites. There are however still concerns about an explosive eruption. High-frequency earthquakes have increased at Mount Agung indicating a major and explosive eruption is possible. Noted and respected volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner told AirlineRatings.com that while the volcano appeared “calm on the outside, much is going on inside.”

On Friday the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said in a statement that the rate of seismic events had decreased since the September / October peak and attributed that “to the fact that a more open pathway for magma to rise to the surface is now present.” “High-frequency earthquakes continue to occur and show that the volcano is very active and capable of pressurization to cause the ongoing eruptions.” However, since that report, the area has experienced a prolonged 3.5 magnitude earthquake on Saturday and then swarms of smaller events have then returned yesterday indicating a significant increase in activity. Yesterday the chief geologist of CVGHM Gede Suantika warned that the “overscale tremors indicate magma chamber is being filled and is estimated to be 50 percent full from an estimated 60 million m³.” “It may fill up in 10 days. Advisories are over for the moment, but it's not the end." Like the Australian airlines, Indonesia AirAsia has been taking a very conservative view of flying and canceling flights. SEE video of Virgin Australia ash assessment process “We decide on which flights to operate based on ash cloud and weather forecasts from two reputable international vendors, as well as notices and advisories issued by local authorities., said AirAsia Group Director of Flight Operations Adrian Jenkins. “This is to ensure the safety of our guests and crew, and to minimise any possible service interruptions, such as a sudden flight cancellation or mid-air diversion, that could arise as a result of ash cloud movements.” “Each airline will make its own assessment and for us, we want zero tolerance levels. Safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to reflect that in our operations,” added Mr. Jenkins.