19 February 2021

Bali Airport Only Operated for 13 Hours Started from 18 February 2021

As the air traffic in Ngurah Rai airport continues to drop after the long weekend holiday of Lunar New Year, the management finally decided to adjust the operational hours. Before, the airport operates from 07:00 – 23:00 but now 07:00 – 20:00 Bali Time, three hours shorter. 

The airports’ rumours of new working hours have spread widely on social media and WhatsApp groups for a week, but the officials just confirmed by yesterday, 18 February 2021.

“Considering less movement of aircraft at Ngurah Rai Airport, we are taking steps to optimise operating hours where actually the movement rate of 10-14 aircraft per hour can be more optimised, as the capacity in DPS airport can serve for up to 18 aircraft per hour,” explained the General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I in Bali, Herry AY Sikado (18/2).

This regulation has been finalised through Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) Number A0363 / 21 regarding changes to airport operational hours, which had also been informed to all relevant airlines. However, the authority will keep monitoring the air traffic, and there’s a possibility in the future that this regulation might be revised without prior notice.

Even though the operating hours have been shortened, the Ngurah Rai Airport management will continue to maintain the service level standard according to the Covid-19 health protocol and the passengers’ convenience while in the airport area.

Sandiaga Urges Central Government to Prioritise Tourism Workers on Receiving Immediate Covid Vaccine

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economic, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno pro-actively working with the central government to allocate certain dosages for tourism and creative economy workers during this second phase of the national vaccination program.

Sandiaga emphasised that tourism workers need to be prioritised to receive vaccinations after health workers, especially when Travel Corridor Arrangement will be started soon in Bali, Batam and Bintan island. They are also considered as the front liners in reviving the tourism sector that pandemic has badly ruined.

During a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday (17/2), the minister appreciates the government’s efforts to vaccinate 55,000 traders in Tanah Abang. Merchants in Tanah Abang Market are part of the creative economy workers, mostly selling fashion products. Tanah Abang Market is one of the largest fashion products centres in Southeast Asia, even in Asia. “The way we see this as a form of government support for creative economy players, especially in the fashion sector. However, there are still 34 million workers in the tourism sector and other creative economies who also need to be prioritised,” Sandiaga said in a written statement.

Sandiaga specifically proposed for the tourism sector, especially those who deal directly with the community as a form of public service, could be given priority, especially in Bali and other top tourist destinations.

Furthermore, Sandiaga also advised, “If we want our economy to recover along with the steps to overcome Covid-19; of course, we must make extra efforts from both sides. The first side is with social assistance and driving the public consumption sector as well as policies that boost people’s income. And another side must also be balanced with an emphasis on preventing virus transmission by implementing 3M (wearing mask, keeping social distancing and wash hand regularly), and vaccinations.”

Latest Covid-19 statistic per Thursday (18/2), 306 new infections in Bali, made total cases 31.653. Recent recoveries at 348, in total 28.005 with eight recent death was reported, in total 847. While in Indonesia, there were 9.039 new cases, pushed down the total infections to 1.252.685 with 33.969 total deaths and 1.058.222 recoveries.