Bali International Airport to be Closed During APEC Summit

Nusa Dua, Bali (Antara) - The Ngurah Rai International Airport will be closed during the APEC Summit 2013 on October 6, 8, and 9, during the arrival of APEC economies members. According to a member of the APEC Summit 2013 committee, Ahmed Kurnia, speaking in Nusa Dua, Bali on Saturday, the airport closing would not be for the entire day, but only during those times of the delegates' arrivals and departures. Plans call for the airport to be closed for the arrival of APEC's senior officials on Monday (Oct 6) at 10 AM and 8 PM, as well as during the arrivals of APEC Economies Leaders' on Tuesday (Oct 8) at 1 PM and 8 PM and their departures on Wednesday (Oct 9) at 7 AM and 2 PM. "The closing is just temporary, after the APEC Summit's participants' arrival and departure, the airport will be opened again and public flights will be run as usual," he said. The airport closing plan had been distributed to all airports in Indonesia that assist in the transit and flights through Ngurah Rai Airport. Ahmed said the committee hopes this information could be spread to the public by the media, as those in the public who want to arrive or leave from Bali Island might find alternative transportation. Meanwhile, people who have booked flights at times when the airport will be closed were asked to contact their ticket agent or airplane companies. "The closing plan is just temporary and will support the effectiveness of this international-scale event. So, we hope people who wants to travel out of Bali could use land or sea transportation," he said. (*)