DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Thousands of travelers heading to and from Bali have been affected by disruptions to global flight connectivity following airspace closures in parts of the Middle East.
Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), said the situation has impacted tourist travel routes after escalating tensions between the United States and Iran disrupted international aviation corridors.
According to BTB estimates, around 8,500 tourists have been directly affected, including travelers from Europe and the Middle East who were planning to visit Bali, as well as European tourists preparing to depart from the island.
Several airlines have canceled flights connected to Middle Eastern transit hubs, including Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad Airways.
Despite the disruption, Agung said Bali has not lost its European tourism market entirely, as travelers can still reach the island through alternative global transit routes.
“The cancellations originate from transit hubs, not Bali as a destination. Currently there are delays in the arrival of European tourists, but visitors can still reschedule their flights, so Bali is not losing the European market entirely or experiencing a full loss of demand,” Agung said when contacted on Tuesday (March 3, 2026).
He explained that alternative transit routes through Singapore and South Korea remain stable, with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and Turkish Airlines continuing to operate connections to Bali.
Tourism indicators on the island also remain relatively strong. Hotel occupancy in Sanur, including properties such as Puri Santrian and Griya Santrian, remains above 80 percent, with many guests coming from Australia and European markets that do not rely on Middle Eastern transit routes.
Earlier reports indicated that 15 international flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport had been canceled, consisting of eight departures and seven arrivals.
Data from airlines shows that approximately 3,197 departing passengers were affected by the schedule adjustments.
Authorities and tourism stakeholders say that while travel disruptions may temporarily delay some arrivals, Bali remains accessible through alternative international flight routes.