I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Closes for 24 Hours During Nyepi Festival, 440 Flights Suspended
Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport will suspend all flight operations and airport activities for 24 hours in connection with Nyepi Festival for the Caka Year 1948, on Thursday 19 March 2026.
The operational closure forms part of the airport’s commitment to support and honour the observance of Nyepi, the sacred Hindu New Year on the island of Bali.
General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (Airport operator), Nugroho Jati, explained that the total closure of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport is in accordance with Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) number A0096 issued by the State-Owned Enterprises of Airport Navigation Services and AirNav Indonesia.
“All regular commercial flight operations at the airport will be suspended from Thursday, 19 March 2026 at 06:00 WITA until Friday, 20 March 2026 at 06:00 WITA. During this period, no regular flights will depart or arrive at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport,” he stated on Wednesday 12 March.
According to Nugroho Jati, the operational suspension has been coordinated with all aviation stakeholders, including airlines, AirNav Indonesia, the Regional Airport Authority Office Region IV, and other relevant agencies to ensure smooth operations before and after the Nyepi period. Flight schedule adjustments have also been communicated by each airline to passengers.
“The temporary suspension of airport operations during Nyepi is conducted annually, enabling Hindu worshippers on the island of Bali to observe the Catur Brata Penyepian ceremony with reverence. We have coordinated with all stakeholders to ensure that services to airport users remain optimal before and after the operational suspension period,” Nugroho Jati continued.
Although flight operations will be suspended, several airport personnel will remain on standby to support emergency aviation operational requirements, such as medical evacuation flights or special flights if needed and approved by relevant authorities.
During this period, a total of 440 scheduled commercial flight operations are not operating, comprising 231 domestic route flights and 209 international route flights. During the flight operational suspension period, it is planned that 19 aircraft will remain overnight at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.
According to the schedule, the last scheduled departures before the operational suspension are on Wednesday 18 March at 23:10 WITA for domestic routes and Thursday 19 March at 01:30 WITA for international routes. The last scheduled arrivals are on Wednesday 18 March at 23:05 WITA for domestic routes and Thursday 19 March at 00:30 WITA for international routes.
The first scheduled departures after operations resume are on Friday 20 March at 07:00 WITA for domestic routes and 08:15 WITA for international routes. Meanwhile, the first scheduled arrivals are at 08:20 WITA for domestic routes and 07:05 WITA for international routes.
“We urge prospective passengers who have travel plans around those dates to coordinate with their airlines regarding flight schedules and arrive at the airport at the scheduled departure time informed to them. We hope that the observance of Nyepi rituals this year will proceed smoothly and with reverence, bringing peace, wisdom and new spirit for us all in building a more harmonious life,” concluded Nugroho Jati.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is also temporarily suspending crossings between Java–Bali and Bali–Lombok during the Nyepi Festival of the Caka Year 1948 as a mark of respect for Hindu worshippers in Bali.
The closure is critical as the Ketapang–Gilimanuk port operations will be completely closed on 18 March to honour the religious ritual in Bali.
The Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, has prepared 6,859 mosque posts welcoming travellers for the 2026 annual migration period and ensures that the observance of Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr in Bali takes place with order and full tolerance.