Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2010-11-03)

FLIGHTS into Jogjakarta, Solo and Semarang are up and running again after a series of delays and cancellations yesterday due to thick volcanic ash from Mount Merapi.

A Ministry of Transportation spokesman was quoted by the media as saying airlines were advised “to use alternative routes for safety reasons due to the volcanic ash".

SilkAir cancelled two flights linking Singapore to Solo while AirAsia dropped four flights between Kuala Lumpur and Jogjakarta and Solo.

Garuda Indonesia VP corporate communications Pujobroto said only its earlier flights were delayed. "The airport authority only 'closed' flights from Jakarta to Semarang, Jogjakarta and Solo up to 10.00 (yesterday).”

Jakarta-bound flights, however, were unaffected.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Jogjakarta today issued an official statement assuring travellers that Jogjakarta was safe for visitors. The city provincial governor had also released a similar statement earlier.

Java Tourism Crisis Care coordinator Handoko said: "The mountain is still erupting, and we are closely monitoring the flows.