In observance of Nyepi Day, the Balinese Hindu New Year, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali will temporarily halt all operations for 24 hours, starting from 6:00 AM (UTC+8) on March 11 until 6:00 AM on March 12, 2024.
The airport’s general manager, Handy Heryudhitiawan, confirmed the annual closure during a statement to Antara News on Thursday. He stated,
During the celebration of Nyepi, the airport’s operations will cease, starting from March 11 at 6 a.m. local time to March 12 at 6 a.m.
This yearly tradition sees the airport turn off its lighting system and cease all activities as a mark of respect for Nyepi Day, also known as the Day of Silence.
However, a skeleton crew of 70 personnel will remain on standby to attend to emergency flights and urgent medical evacuations.
The temporary shutdown will affect 448 scheduled flights, comprising 244 domestic and 204 international services.
Heryudhitiawan stated that airlines have been notified two months in advance, allowing them to make necessary adjustments to their schedules.
The airport manager explained:
We have already sent notices to airmen two months prior, so that they (airlines) can take anticipatory measures for dealing with the pause scheduled for March 11.
Beyond the airport, other public facilities on the island, including ports and toll roads, will also remain closed during Nyepi Day, with the exception of essential services like hospitals and police stations.
Nyepi Day, a national holiday in Indonesia, holds significant importance in the predominantly Hindu island of Bali.
Filipino carriers Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines operate flights to Bali with ten and seven weekly flights scheduled, respectively. Both airlines have not opened reservations for flights to the Indonesian tourist hotspot during the holiday.
Source: Antara News
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