Ngurah Rai is losing Rp 540 million each day that Mt. Raung screws with flights: Tourism Minister

The departure board is reflected on the floor as a passenger sits in the international terminal at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali on July 10, 2015. PHOTO: Antara Foto/Reuters/Landov

Indonesian Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya says the closure of Bali’s international airport is costing hundreds of millions of rupiah per day. 

“As a result of the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport, 10,000 foreign tours per day are not coming to Bali. Especially during weekends, when about 14,000 foreign tourists cannot come to Bali,” Yahya said on Tuesday, as quoted by Tribun Bali. 

RELATED Volcanic ash delays and cancels Bali flights again

Yahya says the closure costs USD40,000 per day, approximately RP 540 million. 

The minister says he has asked Bali’s airport manager to be vigilant about making information available to travelers, such as alternative routes that can be taken. 

Bali’s international airport has been closed several times in the past month thanks to volcanic ash spewed by Mt. Raung. 

The most recent closure was on July 22 for about four hours. Since then—until now—the airport has been operating normally.