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Good News For Bali Travellers On The Medical Priority List As Several Flights Resume

Some Bali Flights Resume With Those Needing Medical Assistance Prioritised
Passengers line up after their flights were canceled at Bali's international airport, in Denpasar, Indonesia, Friday, July 10, 2015. Ash spewing from a volcano on Indonesia's main island of Java has sparked chaos for holidaymakers as airports close and international airlines cancel flights to tourist hotspot Bali, stranding thousands. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
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Passengers line up after their flights were canceled at Bali's international airport, in Denpasar, Indonesia, Friday, July 10, 2015. Ash spewing from a volcano on Indonesia's main island of Java has sparked chaos for holidaymakers as airports close and international airlines cancel flights to tourist hotspot Bali, stranding thousands. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Flights out of Bali resumed on Thursday, as the volcanic ash cloud from Mount Rinjani temporarily cleared, but thousands of travelers remained stranded.

Both Virgin Australia and Jetstar have given priority to patients in need of medical assistance, and traveler Carmen Denton told The Huffington Post it was just in time.

"We have made friends with people at the hotel in Legian who are on medical emergency lists, while they are still here, we aren't going anywhere for a while," Denton told HuffPost Australia.

"In the chemist, an Australian lady came in and was looking for diabetes medication -- she had only packed for a week and has now run out.

"Another man at our hotel has run out of his heart medication.

"I have no medical issues so I am happy for people who are desperate to go before me."

Denton said travelers were finding out whether their insurance covered delays caused by volcanic eruptions.

"It turns out, a few travel insurance companies won't cover it," Denton said.

"Mum and I booked two different insurance policies, with the same basic cover. My additional travel expenses are covered but hers aren't."

Perth parent Leigh-Ann McNulty told WA Today her family was facing financial devastation between pricey return flights and the fact that they're missing work days.

"We might have to end up declaring bankruptcy now because things have got that bad," McNulty told WA Today.

Traveler Cade Trigg said he was trying to roll with the punches, heading to Kuta to wait for any available recovery flights.

"[Australians stranded here have] mixed emotions," Trigg told HuffPost Australia.

"Some are devastated as they have missed important events such weddings. Others are enjoying the extended holidays largely covered by insurance companies."

A Virgin Australia statement released Thursday said: "whilst Mt Rinjani continues to erupt, flying conditions in the vicinity of Denpasar Airport remain favourable today for daytime operations. Nighttime operations are still under review".

A Jetstar statement said "It’s unclear how long these conditions will last and our priority remains bringing customers back to Australia with special recovery flights".

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