Bali flights to resume Sunday afternoon

Virgin Australia will resume flights to Bali from Sunday afternoon, provided the volcanic ash cloud has retracted.

Passengers wait for their delayed flights at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia (EPA/MADE NAGI) Source: AAP

Flights to Bali may resume on Sunday afternoon if the volcanic ash cloud continues to retreat, Virgin Australia says.

While Sunday morning flights to Bali remain cancelled, the airline has released a statement saying the ash cloud appears to be dissipating despite Mt Rinjani's continuing eruptions.

"Should the ash cloud continue to retract overnight, it may be possible for Virgin Australia to operate a number of flights from Bali to Australia later tomorrow, to enable guests to return to Australia," Virgin Australia said on Saturday night.

Virgin and Jetstar were forced to abandon planned flights to and from Bali on Saturday after winds pushed a volcanic ash cloud too close to the airport.

Jetstar had planned to operate during daylight hours on Saturday, including two recovery flights, but by mid-morning announced it was not safe to fly.

Jetstar said it would operate limited daytime flights to and from Bali on Sunday, but most would be out of Denpasar.

As a result, the airline has been forced to change or cancel several flights.