KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia is currently operating limited daytime flights to and from Bali, as visibility is low at night due to thick ash spewed into the air by the island’s erupting Mount Agung volcano.
In a statement on its Twitter account on Friday, AirAsia’s group director (flight operations) Adrian Jenkins said it would be impossible for pilots to detect any shifts in the ash cloud in the darkness due to unpredictable wind conditions in the area.
“We decide on which flights to operate based on the ash cloud and weather forecasts from two reputable international vendors, as well as notices and advisories issued by local authorities.
“This is to ensure the safety of our guests and crew, and to minimise any possible service interruptions, such as sudden flight cancellation or mid-air diversion that could arise as a result of ash cloud movements.
“Each airline makes its own assessment and for us, we want zero tolerance levels,” he said.