Celebration of Nyepi in Bali - Emirates Schedule changes

[TCAS FAN]

Have made a reservation on Emirates for DEN/DXB scheduled to depart 0005LST 28 March 2017. I've now discovered that the 28th is the Hindu Nyepi festival which apparently prevents travel in Bali on 28th. Have spoken to Emirates reservations who keep telling me "we have no information on airport closure", which apparently happens every year.

Can anyone provide me an email contact for DXB Ops/scheduling to get to the bottom of this? I need to schedule onward flights from DXB and need to establish whether in fact the 28th's flight will operate, departing before 2359 LST on 27th.

[Heathrow Harry]

Wikipedia sums it up and they are correct NOTHING is allowed on that day - looks like 06:00 on the 28th to 06:-00 on the 29th so you may be OK with a midnight departure

The day before is driving out the Spirits and it's NOISY

Nyepi is a Balinese (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali) "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balinese_saka_calendar) new year) according to the Balinese calendar (in 2016, it falls on March 9). It is a Hindu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu) celebration mainly celebrated in Bali (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali), Indonesia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia). Nyepi, a public holiday in Indonesia, is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New Year's Day. The same day celebrated in India as ugadi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugadi).

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-reflection), and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and, for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali's usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preman_%28Indonesian_gangster%29), traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu) holiday, non-Hindu residents and tourists are not exempt from the restrictions. Although they are free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_vehicles) responding to life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.

[Heathrow Harry]

This is this years - first is in English second is the NOTAM also in English - looks like you're OK before 06:00

Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali to Shut Down for 24 hours in Respect of Nyepi Day, 9 March 2016 (http://balipedia.com/bali-news/ngurah-rai-airport-in-bali-to-shut-down-for-24-hours-in-respect-of-nyepi-day-9-march-2016)

Pengumuman Penutupan Bali Airport Terkait Hari Raya Nyepi - I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport | Bali (http://bali-airport.com/detail/berita/pengumuman-penutupan-bali-airport-terkait-hari-raya-nyepi-)
A N N O U N C E M E N T
Number : PENG. 02 /OB.01/2016/GM.DPS
SUBJECT
I GUSTI NGURAH RAI AIRPORT IS
CLOSED DUE TO SILENT DAY (NYEPI)


1. Referring to the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) number : A0087/16 on January 15 2016, herewith we inform you that due to Silent Day (Nyepi), I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport will be closed from March 9 2016 06.00 LT until March 10 2016 06.00 LT.

2. Due to the closure, all flights both arriving and departing from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport will be unoperated

[TCAS FAN]

HH

Many thanks, will continue to pursue Emirates to try to get confirmation that a 0005 departure on 28th is going to happen.

Many years back I'm sure that my young son had a bear of the same name, clocked up many thousands of miles travelling on GF & BA to/from MCT!