Indonesia Java Volcano: Airlines Resume Operations after Mount Kelud Disruption [PHOTOS]

Some international airlines including Virgin, Qantas, and Jetstar have resumed their operations to Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand after a temporary closure caused by the volcanic eruption in Mount Kelud on Java island.

Although most airlines have started flying to the region, Virgin has said there will be no services to the Cocos Islands until the situation further improves.

Three major Indonesian airports have also been reopened while some others remain shut due to ash.

"The airport in Malang city in East Java province, and Cilacap and Semarang cities in Central Java province have reopened. There's no problem flying there now. We are now evaluating the status of other airports," said Indonesia's transport ministry spokesperson Bambang Ervan.

The airport in Solo is set to open shortly while the one in Yogyakarta will open only next week.

"We were informed by the volcanology agency this morning that no more powerful eruptions are expected. So it is safe and flights can resume," said Herry Bakti, transport ministry director general of aviation.

The government has said that according to verified figures at least 76,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 200,000 have been affected by the spewing ash and debris.

So far, at least three people have been reported dead in volcano-related incidents.

Officials have maintained their highest alert status to avoid any risk and people have been advised to return to their homes which fall within a 10km radius of Kelud.

Kelud lies about 730km from the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The 1,731-metre high peak is located in eastern Java, the country's most densely populated island. Scientists have been closely observing the rumbling for several weeks but they did not expect a sudden eruption.

Kelud is one the 130 active volcanoes in the country prone to deadly earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as Indonesia falls directly in the "Ring of Fire".