42 Bali Flights Disrupted as Ngurah Rai Airport Stayed Open

Denpasar — Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport said 42 flights were affected by cancellations or schedule changes by 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, as increased activity at Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted air services linked to western Indonesia.

Airport officials said the airport remained open and operating normally despite the disruptions. They coordinated with airlines and Indonesia’s air navigation agency as the situation evolved, according to local reports citing the airport operator.

Most of the impact was on domestic routes. Local reports said the affected services included flights between Bali and Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport, as well as services to and from Halim Perdanakusuma and Bandung.

The airport’s management also prepared passenger assistance at the terminal, including drinks and light snacks, for travelers caught by the disruption. Passengers were advised to check directly with their airline before heading to the airport.

Why flights were disrupted while the airport stayed open

The episode showed how a runway can remain available even when flight schedules are hit across a wider network. If an aircraft is delayed or canceled at another airport, the disruption can cascade into Bali without forcing a closure at Ngurah Rai itself.

That is why the phrase “Bali airport is open” did not mean every flight could operate as planned. The airport’s operational status and the status of each individual service were separate matters during the disruption.

In later updates, local reporting said the broader network of airports affected by volcanic activity had resumed operations after temporary suspensions elsewhere in Indonesia. Ngurah Rai was not described as one of the airports that shut down.

For passengers, the practical takeaway was straightforward: an airport reopening notice did not guarantee a specific booking would be restored immediately. Airlines still had to reposition aircraft, adjust crew schedules and rebook passengers after the interruption.

What passengers should check

Travellers were urged to confirm their flight number with the operating airline and then verify the airport’s arrival or departure information before leaving home. That remained the most reliable way to distinguish a general airport update from the status of an individual service.

• Affected flights: 42 by 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 6
• Airport status: Open and broadly operating normally
• Mainly affected routes: Jakarta, Halim Perdanakusuma and Bandung

Sources

• Detik Bali
• Dewata News
• VOI
• Viton13