The airport's general manager, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, said that the temporary suspension will be in effect from 6 a.m. Central Indonesian Time (UTC+8) on March 29 to 6 a.m. Central Indonesian Time (UTC+8) on March 30.
"During this period, we will temporarily stop all flight service activities, both domestic and international, except for flights that are medical evacuation and emergency flights," he informed here on Thursday.
To anticipate requests for medivac services, emergency landings, and technical landings, the airport will continue to keep operational, security, and technical personnel on standby at the operations control center.
Shahab said that airport operations will be suspended out of respect for Hindus celebrating the Holy Day of Nyepi.
The policy is supported by a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the country's state-owned air navigation firm AirNav for all airlines to arrange flight schedules in advance and adjust them to the airport's operating hours during Nyepi.
Based on the normal schedule, the 54 airlines operating at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport have 425 scheduled flights coinciding with Nyepi Day. They comprise 207 domestic flights and 218 international flights.
Therefore, to support the first departure process the day after the closing of Nyepi, 19 planes will be parked at the airport.
The next day, after Nyepi is over, regular flights will be resumed as usual.
The momentum of the 'no travel' rule during Nyepi, which also promotes the practice of self-awareness, can be used by the airport management officers to take stock of their services.
"At the same time, we also use it to rest for a moment the operational facilities that have been working 24 hours a day for a year to meet airport service standards," Shahab added.
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Translator: Ni Putu Putri Muliantari, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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