Volcanic ash shuts five Indonesian airports

Five airports in Indonesia were shut on Friday due to a volcanic eruption in East Java.

Mount Raung in East Java, one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, has been spewing ash into the air for nearly a week.

Bali's Denpasar International Airport, International Airport in Lombok, Selaparang Airport also in Lombok, Blimbingsari Airport in Banyuwangi, East Java and Notohadinegoro Airport in Jember, East Java were the five airports being shut.

"The closure was based on NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Air Transport Director General," J.A. Barata, a spokesperson at the transportation ministry said adding, "the re-opening of the airports would be based on Mount Raung's activity."

Earlier in the day, the country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia announced the closure of only four airports.

Authorities raised the alert status of Mount Raung, a 3,300-metre volcano, late last month to the second highest level after it began to spew lava and ash high into the air.