VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia’s Tourism Minister has expressed hope that the reopening of Bali`s Ngurah Rai International Airport would encourage six countries to revoke the travel advisories they issued against Indonesia.

"We wish to announce that the I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport has been officially reopened as of June 29, 2018 at 2:30 p.m., Central Indonesia Standard Time (WITA)," Arief Yahya, the Minister of Tourism, said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday. "So, to the countries that have issued travel advisories, please revise them immediately."

Earlier, six countries -- the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and France --published travel advisories following the eruption of Gunung Agung.

As of 2.35 p.m. local time on Friday, the six countries` travel advisories were still in place.

"The reopening of the Ngurah Rai Airport will normalize flight schedules to help travelers recover from flight delays," Arief explained.

The airport, which serves as the biggest gateway for foreign tourists entering the country, will operate for 24 hours until conditions return to normal.

"Thanks to Angkasa Pura I (port operator) and to the transportation ministry (Kemenhub) for being proactive in thinking about our customers, the tourists who go to Bali," the minister said.

Arief lamented the extended effect of a travel advisory, saying it applies to an entire country even if the danger is confined to only one or two provinces.

"Therefore, the impact can be nationwide if the advisory is not immediately revised," he added. (ANTARA)