Bali Airport Operator Establishes Mount Raung Crisis Centers

Kuta, Bali (Antara Bali) -- Airport operator PT Angkasa Pusa I has set up three crisis centers at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to serve passengers affected by the cancellation of their flights due to the eruption of Mount Raung.

"The three crisis centers are located at the international terminal, domestic terminal, and emergency technical and operation area," the general manager of Bali airport`s Angkasa Pusa I subsidiary, Trikora Harjo, told the press here on Friday.

The airport has also set up customer service telephone lines. It can be contacted at 0361-9351011 extension 6309 for information on international flights and extension 4173 for domestic flights.

As the airport has halted operations due to the volcanic eruption, it will not charge airplanes stranded there.

The eruption of Mount Raung, which is located in Banyuwangi in East Java, is affecting I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali.

The information was obtained from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, and the Denpasar branch of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

The mount is expelling volcanic ashes to heights of between 17,000 and 20,000 meters, which can endanger flights.

On Thursday, July 9, the airport in Bali shut down operations temporarily. However, it is expected to resume operations at 9:30 p.m. local time, while passengers stranded at the airport due to the cancellations were taken to hotels. (WDY)