440 Aircraft at Ngurah Rai Airport Suspend Operations During Nyepi

Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport will temporarily suspend flight operations during the Balinese Hindu religious observance of Nyepi on 19 March 2026. Approximately 440 aircraft movements will be suspended throughout the period.

“We estimate around 440 movements or aircraft will cease operations during the Nyepi activities,” stated Goentoro, head of Airport Operation and Security Services at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, on Saturday, 8 March 2026.

Goentoro explained that airport management had issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding the operational suspension during Nyepi. The Ngurah Rai Airport will close from 06:00 local time on 19 March. Airport operations will resume the following day.

“We issued the NOTAM well in advance regarding the implementation of Nyepi, which will run from 19 to 20 March, for a continuous 24-hour period,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ngurah Rai Airport is projected to serve approximately 1.1 million passengers during the 2026 Lebaran holiday period. The Lebaran transport period is estimated to last 18 days, from 13-30 March 2026.

Goentoro explained that passenger numbers are estimated to reach 1,130,436 people with 6,742 aircraft movements. He predicted peak outbound traffic at Ngurah Rai Airport would occur on 18 March, one day before Nyepi, with approximately 71,000 passenger movements. The peak return traffic is estimated to occur on 28 March 2026.

To support smooth passenger flow, airport management will operate two Lebaran transport information posts. The main post will be located in the domestic arrivals area, whilst the secondary post will be positioned at the traffic control point west of the Wisti Saba Building.