"Himawari satellite`s data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency shows that volcanic ash has covered the airspace of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport," Head of Data, Information, and Public Relations of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho noted in a statement here on Friday.
He stated that the decision to close the airport`s operations was made during a coordination meeting held to discuss the mitigation of the impact of Mount Agung`s eruption on Friday morning at 12:05 a.m. local time, while the evaluation will again be conducted on Friday at 12 p.m. local time.
According to Nugroho, the airport`s operations have been closed owing to security concerns. Several airlines have also decided to cancel their flights due to security reasons on Thursday (June 28).
The departures and arrivals of 48 canceled flights, with 8,334 passengers, include 38 international flights, with 6,611 passengers, and 10 domestic flights, with 1,723 passengers.
"Airlines that have decided to cancel their flights are Air Asia, Jet Star, Qantas, and Virgin," he revealed.
Speaking in connection with Mount Agung`s volcanic activities, Nugroho has appealed to the public to remain calm. The BNPB continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Transportation, Volcanology and Volcanic Disaster Mitigation, Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, regional disaster mitigation agency, and Bali provincial government.
Reporter: Dewanto Samodro
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
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