Flight Diversion, Delays And Disruptions At Bali Airport As Tourists Fly In For New Years Eve

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Extreme weather conditions have been hitting Indonesia this rainy season, causing widespread devastation.

In Bali, the weather has been impacting holidays and vacations throughout the island. Bad weather has led to a series of significant flight delays, disruptions, and diversions just as the wave of New Year’s travellers is set to arrive. 

Throughout Saturday, 27th December, extreme winds and heavy rain pummelled down on Denpasar, affecting air traffic into and out of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

With more heavy rains forecast, travellers set to pass through Bali Airport, whether arriving or departing, are advised to keep a close eye on the forecast and updates from their airlines. 

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Here at The Bali Sun, we know just how hectic things are about to feel in Bali’s busiest tourism areas; those who return to celebrate the New Year on the island annually will know this all too deeply, too.

With travel disruptions already recorded this Betwixmas, travelers must be prepared for every eventuality. Over the last few days, six flights were grounded at Bali Airport, and a further five were diverted to ensure passenger safety. 

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Speaking to reporters, Communication & Legal Division Head of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, said that the airport is regulating air traffic to ensure flight and passenger safety. “We can confirm that currently, Saturday morning, the area around Ngurah Rai Airport is experiencing quite heavy rain. To ensure flight and passenger safety, aircraft landing arrangements are being made.”

A further six flights were held in the air until cleared to land, including two flights from Melbourne, one from Perth, another from Abu Dhabi, a fifth from Bengaluru, and a domestic flight from Labuan Bajo. Bali Airport is Indonesia’s second busiest airport, and just one delay can have a knock-on impact on travel for hours.

Asmadi told reporters, “Every step and operational decision at the airport is made to ensure this [safety]. In this regard, we continue to coordinate closely with AirNav Denpasar, the airline, and the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) to ensure airport operations continue safely and securely amidst the rainy weather.”

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According to Bali Airport data, from the Christmas and New Year Command Post, which was opened on 15th December until Boxing Day, the number of passengers at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport reached 811,170 people or an average of 67,597 passengers per day.

The BMKG has issued weather warnings from the 29th December onwards, across multiple regions in Bali, including Badung Regency, Gianyar, Karangasem, Klungkung, Tabanan, and Denpasar City. Badung Regency is home to Bali’s most popular tourism hotspots: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu. 

Bali Airport will be at its busiest from 29th December through to 4th January. To ensure that all operations were running smoothly for tourists, Bali Governor Wayan Koster personally visited the terminals on Sunday, 28th December. He told reporters how the arrival figures to the island show no sign of slowing down this festive season. 

Governor Koster explained, "In 2024, the number of international tourist visits to Bali is projected to reach 6.3 million. Then, in 2025, by December 26, it will reach 6.9 million, an increase of 600,000 by December 26, 2025.”

He confirmed that Bali is set to smash 2025 tourism targets by welcoming over 7 million international tourists by the end of the year.

Governor Koster shared, "Because the average daily arrivals are between 23,000 and 24,000 people. Our estimate is based on the five days leading up to December 31st, so the 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st. If we use the 24,000 x 5 benchmark, that means there will be an additional 120,000 foreign tourists.”

Tourists traveling to Bali Airport for departing flights over the next week are urged to leave more than enough time to travel to the terminals.

Not only is the airport far busier than usual, but the traffic around the airport is expected to be congested even with mitigation measures in place.