"Due to a temporary shutdown of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, as many as 445 flights to and from Bali were affected," Secretary of PT Angkasa Pura I Israwadi stated in a press release received in Jakarta on Monday.
He said currently, flights from Bali were canceled, while those to Bali scheduled before 7:15 a.m. local time were diverted to some airports around Bali.
"We estimate that 445 flights will be canceled, covering 196 international routes and 249 domestic routes," he stated.
To ensure smooth handling of future flights to Bali, Israwadi said his side has prepared five alternative airports: the Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, East Java Province; Lombok Praya International Airport in West Nusa Tenggara Province; Sultan Hasanussin Airport in South Sulawesi Province; Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport in East Kalimantan Province; Adi Soemarmo International Airport in Central Java Province; Ahmad Yani International Airport in Central Java Province; and Adi Sutjipto International Airport in Yogyakarta Province.
Israwadi also said his side has readied buses for passengers to serve as an alternative means of transportation to the Mengwi Bus Terminal and Padang Bai Port.
Israwadi`s side has also readied information service centers for offering ticket refund and flight rescheduling services and to also serve as outlets for the consulate general to serve foreign tourists.
Moreover, his side will offer entertainment in the form of music and traditional dance performances as well as additional services to provide snacks and beverages.
For further information on the updated condition of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali Province, the people can call the hotline: (0361) 9351011, extension 5055, and the Integrated Command Post, with extension 6300.
Moreover, for connecting to the hotline of the Lombok Praya Airport, the people can contact the integrated command post at (0370) 6157000, extension 888, or the call center of PT Angkasa Pura I at 172.
The I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport was shut down on Monday from 7:15 a.m. local time until Tuesday due to volcanic ash being spewed by Mount Agung.
Meanwhile, the Lombok Praya Airport was reopened on Monday at 6 a.m. local time after it was shut down since Saturday, Nov 26, at 5:55 p.m. local time due to volcanic ash arising from the mount`s eruption.
The 3,142-meter-high Mount Agung has been rumbling since August 2017.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry`s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) reported that Mount Agung had erupted, releasing volcanic ash and smoke from the crater on Nov 21.
The eruption occurred at 5:05 p.m. local time, with grey smoke rising some 700 meters from the crater.
Following the eruption, the PVMBG has also called on all villagers in the disaster-prone areas, tourists, and other individuals to avoid any activities near the volcano and other regions within a six-kilometer radius of the crater as well as in areas within 7.5 kilometers to the north, northeast, southeast, south, and southwest of Mount Agung.
Reported by Juwita Trisna Rahayu
(T.M052/A/KR-BSR/F001)
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
