On Friday, 31 July 2020, the Island of Bali reopened its doors for domestic tourist visitors.
As reported by Tribun-Bali.com, an estimated 4,000 domestic tourists landed at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Internation Airport on the first day of reopened tourism in what Bali’s Governor proclaims to be the “new era” operating in the “new normal.”
Members of the local community joined Bali’s Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace) to welcome the first arriving flight on 31 July and present floral leis to each passenger.
Eighty-four passengers traveling in Business Class (7) and Economy (77) on Garuda Indonesia GA402 arrived on the Airbus A300 Aircraft flying from Jakarta that landed at 10:15 am local time.
Based on the stated configuration of 251 seats on the A330 Airbus, the arriving flight was only 33% occupied due to physical distancing protocols and customer demand.
The general manager of PT Angkasa Pura I, Rahmat Adil Indrawan, said he expects loads to increase over time but welcomes the initial load of tourist visitors for the long-weekend of Idul Adha starting on the reopening day of the airport.
Rahmat Adil estimates that 4 thousand domestic passengers arrived in Bali on the first day of the “new era” on 31 July 2020
The head office of the District IV Airport Authority, represented by Puguh Lukito, confirmed the arrival figures at Bali’s Airport on 31 July 2020, explaining that there were 28 arriving aircraft from a total of 56 aircraft movements.
By comparison, on the day before, 30 July 2020, 29 arriving flights were carrying 1,800 passengers and 30 departing flight carrying 2,200 passengers. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, there were 34 arriving flights with 1,700 passengers and 33 departing flights loaded with 2,300 people.
Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport only handled 17,861 passengers during the entire month of June, indicating that July is already shaping up to be a turnaround month as Bali begins to rebuild.
Airport authorities have restated their intention to strictly apply and enforce all health protocols at Bali’s airport, including requirements for passengers to present the results of a recent COVID-19 Rapid Test, wear a face mask, and maintain physical distancing.