Indonesia: Ngurah Rai Airport Closed, Flights to be Diverted to 9 Airports

• Nov 28, 2017

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – State-owned AirNav Indonesia Operations Director Wisnu Darjono said that the company is preparing nine airports to divert flights in and out of Bali Ngurah Rai Airport, which has been closed due to Mount Agung eruption.

The airports are located in Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Solo, Ambon, Manado, Kupang and Banyuwangi. According to Wisnu, the alternative airports were also readied when Lombok International Airport was closed once again last night.

“We continue to monitor the latest activity of Mount Agung and seeking the best solution to mitigate the impact of the closure of two international airports on air connectivity in the archipelago,” he stated in a press release received by Tempo on November 28.

AirNav Indonesia issued Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Number A4274/17 on an extension of Ngurah Rai Airport closure in Bali. The decision has been taken after the airport authorities and stakeholders held a coordinated meeting. The result was later forwarded for approval to the Air Transport Directorate-General last night.

The meeting was held following increased activity and eruption of Mount Agung last night. Data from paper tests from airport operator and authorities show the result of NIL VA (Volcanic Ash) meaning that airport area and airspace are covered by volcanic ash.

In accordance with the plotting area of Volcanic Ash Advisory, AirNav Indonesia Denpasar branch said has declared that the airline traffic lanes are covered by volcanic ash. “It’s dangerous to flights,” Wisnu said. Due to the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport, all flights in and out of Denpasar have been canceled.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2017/11/28/056913623/Ngurah-Rai-Airport-Closed-Flights-to-be-Diverted-to-9-Airports