Koster Says Middle East War Reduces Bali's Tourist Arrivals

Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, said there has been a drop in the number of visitors to Bali by about 800 people per day as a result of the United States–Israel and Iran conflict in the Middle East. The decline occurred over the four days from 1 to 4 March 2026.

‘There has been a decrease in these four days. One day about 800 people, mainly from the Middle East,’ Koster said as he accompanied the working visit of the Minister of Environment to Jimbaran Beach on Thursday (5 March 2026).

Koster explained that the decrease relates to the closure of airspace in the Middle East. The closure of airspace in several countries has left some routes unable to be served.

In addition to the travellers from the Middle East, the situation also affects travellers from Europe who normally transit in Dubai or Doha before continuing to Bali. They are likely to adjust their flight routes due to the restrictions.

‘If in Europe they will definitely adjust their departure routes that previously went via Dubai, Doha, will switch or may not go there, perhaps Singapore or Thailand; if directly to Bali from Russia there are other countries. From the Middle East they cannot, if transiting in Dubai, Doha, it’s no longer possible,’ he explained.

Koster hopes the situation will not last long and that airlines will promptly adjust flight routes so tourist visits return to stable levels.

‘Most likely it will stop quickly. 800 people per day for now, and later there will certainly be improved routes. Hopefully it can stabilise,’ he said.

For information, more than 5,000 passengers and 35 international flights at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport were affected by the airspace closures in the Middle East. The data covers 28 February to 4 March 2026, at 15:00 Wita.

According to airport operation data, of the 35 affected flights, 20 were departures and 15 were arrivals. All these flights were cancelled by the respective airlines.

Among the airlines affected are Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways with routes from Denpasar to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, and vice versa.