Bali`s Ngurah Rai Airport Reopens As Volcanic Ash Clears

Kuta (Antara Bali)- Bali`s Ngurah Rai International Airport has resumed operations from Thursday at 2:30 p.m. local time after being closed for the last two days following the eruption of Mount Barujari in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

"Taking into account the weather change, the I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport has resumed operations at 2:30 p.m. local time," General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I of the Ngurah Rai Airport Trikora Harjo stated here on Thursday.

The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the Darwin-based Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) of Australia have issued information that the direction of the wind has changed and has blown the volcanic ash away from Bali.

The decision to restart operations at the airport was also based on the fact that it was clear of any volcanic ash.

Earlier, the Bali airport authorities had closed down the airport since November 3 and decided to extend its closure period until Friday morning (November 6) .

"The airport will remain closed until Friday at around 8:45 a.m. Central Indonesian Standard Time (WITA)," General Manager of the Angkasa Pura I of the Ngurah Rai international Airport Trikora Harjo stated in Kuta, Bali on Nov. 5.

The transportation ministry issued a Notice to Airman (Notam) No. A 2479/15 regarding the closure.

Since the morning of November 3 until November 5, some 692 international and domestic flights were cancelled following the Ngurah Rai airport`s closure.

"Our airport is currently affected by the volcanic ash being spewed by the erupting Mount Barujari," Chief of the Regional IV Airport Authorities Yusfandri Gona stated on Nov. 4.

The cancellations have affected 183 arrivals and 189 departures of domestic flights.

With regard to the international flights, 157 scheduled arrivals and 163 departures have been cancelled.

Five flights were diverted from Bali to Jakarta and Surabaya. (WDY)