TEMPO.CO, Badung - Aviation activity in I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, has returned to normal after the region was hit by a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 on Tuesday morning, July 16, at 08:18 Central Indonesian Time (WITA).

“Flight operational and or the take off-landing process in Ngurah Rai airport is running normally,” said the airport Communication and Legal Section Head Arie Ahsanurrohim in Badung, Tuesday.

On an official letter, Air Transportation Director-general Polana B Pramesti ensured the quake in the islands would not hinder the flight operational.

“Based on the initial report, the condition is normal and safe, and all facilities are ready to be used for services,” he said, adding that his staffers conducted monitoring to several airport facilities after the tremor.

Polana then appealed to all aviation stakeholders to increase vigilance and readiness while anticipating disaster. “Prioritize safety, security, and service and maintain coordination to handle and anticipate any issues hampering aviation operation,” she underlined.

Meanwhile, the airport authority for Bali Elfi Amir said security officers and the apron movement control (AMC) officers immediately evacuated passengers after the quake in accordance to the standard operating procedure (SOP). The runway inspection was also conducted after the earthquake and resulted in serviceable.

“[However], as many as five flights were held for 15 minutes for the inspection,” Elfi said.

ANTARA