The safety of UQ travellers is a priority for the University. Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), which has been closed since Monday November 27, will remain closed for another 24 hours until 0700 November 30 due to a significant eruption of the Mount Agung volcano.
The University’s travel insurer informed UQ late yesterday that any flight disruptions/cancellations due to the volcano are no longer considered unforeseen circumstances. Therefore the UQ travel insurance policy will not respond to any claims caused by the volcano for travel booked after 5pm (AEST), November 21.
Due to the advice provided by UQ’s travel insurer the University has decided to suspend all University travel to Bali, Indonesia until further notice. The situation will continue to be monitored.
UQ travellers planning to travel to Bali in the near future should make appropriate arrangements to postpone travel. UQ travellers can contact Campus Travel for advice in relation to their travel plans.
Increased volcanic activity on Mount Agung
- The volcano became active in September, prompting the evacuation of 140,000 people.
- Early Nov. 26, three minor eruptions emitted ash and smoke as high as 4,000 metres (13,120 feet).
- The alert status of Mount Agung remains at 4 - the highest on Indonesia's four-point scale - after it was raised early Nov. 27. Authorities have ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate, and more people could be ordered to leave an exclusion zone that has been extended up to 10 km (6 miles) from the volcano.
- Prevailing winds carried the plumes eastward, prompting the issuance of a red aviation alert, which signifies that an eruption with significant ash emission is imminent or underway. Red alerts typically remain active until an eruption has definitively ended.
- Heavy ashfall and poor visibility may cause significant ground transport disruptions on Bali.
- The situation could worsen, as a rare tropical storm system (Tropical Cyclone Cempaka) has formed south of Java and could bring heavy rain to Bali. The system is still technically a tropical depression by international standards, but it is forecast to remain nearly stationary for several days, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the same areas for a protracted period. Significant rainfall mixed with ash could cause mudslides, make roads very slippery, and increase the likelihood for significant property damage, especially if ash is not removed from roofs.
Airports
- Officials have extended the closure of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) for another 24 hours, until 0700 Nov. 30, due to a significant eruption of the Mount Agung volcano.
- As of the morning of Nov. 29, Lombok International Airport (LOP) remains open, but short-notice closures are possible if wind conditions change.
- Airport closures could be protracted if volcanic activity continues at the current level or intensifies. Depending on winds and the duration of the eruption, ash could be carried aloft and affect operations at other airports in eastern Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands (Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara), or possibly northern Australia, although problems have so far been concentrated around Bali, Lombok, and the easternmost part of Java.
- The airport closures have affected airline network operations, particularly since DPS handles many flights to and from destinations in eastern Indonesia.
- Individual airlines could still cancel flights after the airports reopen if airborne ash continues to be a problem on standard flight routes or approach paths to airports on Bali or Lombok.
- Transcontinental flights between Australia and Asia and the Middle East have been largely unaffected; some planes have detoured away from normal routes over Bali, but this has not added much time to flights.
Is this covered by UQ travel insurance?
For travel booked before 5pm (AEST), Nov. 21, cancellation and curtailment expenses incurred by a UQ traveller due to unforeseen circumstance outside the control of either UQ or the traveller will be reimbursed under the insurance policy, subject to the policy's terms, conditions and exclusions. This cover applies both before a journey commences (loss of deposits), or once a traveller has commenced the journey.
The University’s travel insurer has advised that any flight disruptions/cancellations due to the volcano is no longer considered unforeseen circumstances. Therefore the UQ travel insurance policy will not respond to any claims caused by the volcano for travel booked after 5pm (AEST), November 21.
For insurance queries contact Insurance Services:
Email: insurance@uq.edu.au
Phone: +61 7 3365 3075
What if I have booked travel to Bali but not through Campus Travel?
If travellers booked directly with a travel supplier other than Campus Travel, the traveller will need to contact the supplier themselves. Some airlines are offering refunds or changes, but this depends on the supplier.
Further assistance
If you require emergency assistance while travelling, please contact Chubb Insurance Assistance. The contact details are listed below:
Travel emergency 24/7 contact
Chubb Assistance phone +61 2 8907 5995 and quote UQ policy number 01PP529201. Reverse phone charge is available.
Campus Travel can be contacted 24/7, 365 days a year.
Please contact the Campus Travel team if you are affected and are supposed to be travelling to Indonesia in the next 10 days.
Number: +61 7 3393 8855 (calls from overseas)
Number: 1300 662 703 (calls from within Australia)
Email: uq@campustravel.com.au
Refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for more information:
DFAT Smart Traveller - Indonesia
