BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Escalating tensions in the Middle East that have led to airspace closures in several countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran, are affecting international flight schedules to and from Bali.
Based on monitoring data as of March 1, 2026, at 01:00 WITA, five major outbound flights from Bali were impacted: Etihad Airways EY477, Qatar Airways QR963, Emirates EK369, Qatar Airways QR961, and Emirates EK399.
The disruption has the potential to alter passenger flow at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport due to cancellations and flight rerouting.
In response, Ngurah Rai Immigration has activated contingency measures to ensure immigration services remain orderly and uninterrupted.
The steps taken include:
- Deploying additional personnel in international arrival and departure areas to anticipate possible queue surges.
- Intensifying coordination with airport operator Angkasa Pura I, airport authorities, international airlines, and relevant agencies regarding schedule changes and rerouted flights.
- Conducting real-time monitoring of flight routes through official airline applications and global flight data systems.
- Updating standard operating procedures (SOP) and activating contingency plans to manage affected passengers.
Head of Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Bugie Kurniawan, said authorities are closely monitoring global developments.
“We continue to monitor this global dynamic intensively. Our main priority is to ensure that despite flight schedule disruptions, immigration administrative processes for passengers remain properly served and in accordance with procedures,” he stated on Sunday (March 1, 2026).
Immigration officials are also anticipating the possibility of overstay cases among foreign nationals whose departures are delayed due to canceled flights.
Passengers whose stay permits are close to expiration or have expired due to emergency flight disruptions are advised to report immediately to the Immigration Office or the Immigration Service Post at the airport for further guidance.
“Handling will be carried out in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, taking into account force majeure conditions caused by international flight disruptions,” he added.
Immigration authorities emphasized that each case will be handled professionally and proportionally, upholding legal certainty and public service standards.
Officials also urged international travelers, particularly those transiting through the Middle East, to regularly check flight status updates through official airline applications and coordinate directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.