GOLD Coast skipper Gary Ablett was stranded in Melbourne on Tuesday night as the volcanic ash cloud continues to play havoc with team's travel arrangements.

All departures out of Melbourne airport were cancelled on Tuesday afternoon, affecting Ablett's planned return to the Gold Coast ahead of Saturday's clash with the Western Bulldogs, The Age reports.

"Stuck in Melbourne," Ablett tweeted late Tuesday, before following with: "Chilly solo training session for me 2morro, not rapt, boys tell me it will be low 20s up on the coast!"

Gold Coast officials defended Ablett's Melbourne stopover, saying it had been planned for several weeks and follows a policy of giving interstate recruits time with family when possible.

"We know with Gaz and what he's shown this year, the way he goes about preparing himself he's second to none," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"I guess he misses the main session [Wednesday], but the stuff we've got on Thursday and Friday, once he gets back for those it shouldn't impact him at all."

The Suns remained hopeful Ablett would return late Wednesday with most airlines expected to resume domestic services from midday.

On Tuesday, the Western Bulldogs' playing group were forced to make a last-minute dash to the airport in order to avoid potential flight disruptions ahead of the Gold Coast clash.

The AFL, in regular contact with its carrier Virgin Australia, now says its biggest concern is the possible postponement of West Coast's flight to Melbourne to face Carlton on Sunday.