Middle East Conflict Impacts Flights; NTB Governor Contacts Embassies
Jakarta – West Nusa Tenggara Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal has taken proactive measures following increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He has contacted a number of Indonesian ambassadors in Gulf states and Iran to ensure that West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) residents in the region remain safe and continue to receive state protection.
“As a regional head, I have a moral responsibility to ensure that NTB citizens abroad remain under state protection,” he stated in Mataram on Monday.
Iqbal explained that his office has coordinated directly with representatives of the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.
In these communications, all KBRI representatives confirmed that registered Indonesian citizens are under intensive monitoring through Indonesian community networks in each country. The ambassadors also reported that contingency plans have been activated as a precautionary measure should conflict escalation increase further.
The NTB Provincial Government specifically entrusted its citizens to the ambassadors in the Middle East region to ensure they receive maximum attention and protection. Iqbal also appealed to NTB residents with family members in the region to verify that their family members’ locations are registered with the local KBRI or KJRI, and to follow official directives from Indonesian Government representatives.
The NTB Government emphasised that it will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Indonesian representatives abroad to monitor the situation and ensure optimal protection. “We continue to monitor and coordinate regularly. Regional governments must not be negligent towards global situations that could impact our citizens,” he stated.
The effects of regional tensions have begun to be felt in the national air transport sector. PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney Airports) reported several flight schedule adjustments at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport due to airspace closures in several countries.
Head of Communication and Legal Division at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, explained that whilst there have been delays and cancellations on several international routes, overall airport operations and services continue to function normally.
Several flights experiencing schedule adjustments until Sunday (1 March 2026) at 11.00 WITA include Etihad flight EY477 on the Denpasar–Abu Dhabi route, which was delayed. Four other flights were cancelled: Emirates EK369 on the Denpasar–Dubai route, Qatar Airways QR963 on the Denpasar–Doha route, Emirates EK399 on the Denpasar–Dubai route, and Qatar Airways QR961 on the Denpasar–Doha route.