Jakarta. Airlines operating in Indonesian have offered to reschedule flights or grant full refunds to passengers traveling to and from Bali after I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport suspended operations for 24 hours on Monday (27/11) following the intensified eruption of Mount Agung.

State-controlled flag carrier Garuda Indonesia said in a statement that their affected passengers can reschedule or reroute their flights, extend the validity of their ticket by up to six months, receive a ticket replacement under a different name or opt for a full refund.

Garuda has cancelled 42 flights arriving in Bali and 46 others departing from the resort holiday island in the wake up Agung's eruption.

"Garuda Indonesia flights from and to Bali will commence after the volcanic ash spread from Mt. Agung eases," Hengki Heriandono, Garuda Indonesia's corporate secretary, said in a statement.

Garuda's budget airline subsidiary Citilink Indonesia is also prepared to grant full refunds or to reschedule passengers' flights.

Benny S. Butarbutar, Citilink's corporate communication secretary, also warned passengers that flights to other parts of the country might be affected as well.

"The cancellation of these flights will have an impact on other flights due to aircraft rotation," Benny said.

Under Indonesian flight regulations, passengers can receive full refunds for their ticket if their flight is cancelled under force majeure events like volcanic eruptions.

The Ministry of Transportation has prepared 300 free buses for passengers wishing to continue their travel on land or depart from airports on other islands. For those who decided to wait at the airport, Angkasa Pura I, the airport's operator, will provide food coupons.

Extended Closure Likely

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said the closure of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport could last longer than 24 hours amid an eruption of Mount Agung.

"We don't know how long it will be closed for," Pastika told reporters, referring to the Bali airport.

"Sure, it's been closed for 24 hours until tomorrow, but that doesn't rule out the possibility the [closure] could be extended," he said.

At least 5,000 foreign and 15,000-20,000 domestic tourists pass through the airport each day, according to Pastika.

Ngurah Rai is Bali's main international gateway and a hub for tourists travelling to Indonesian islands further east.

With additional reporting from Reuters