‘Terrified’ Aussie mum cancels her trip to BALI over Iran war fears – and she’s not alone: ‘Go with your gut’

Aussies have revealed they are cancelling flights to Bali or seriously reconsidering their holiday plans as the conflict in the Middle East ramps up. 

Justine Brown had planned to stay in Legian and Sanur for her 20-year wedding anniversary, but pulled the plug at the last minute. 

‘My anxiety level rose quite high even though I’m well aware that the Middle East is nowhere near Bali,’ she said. 

‘My anxiety got higher and higher and higher to the point where I had a full-blown anxiety attack. I didn’t want to go because I was terrified.’

The conflict in the Middle East escalated on Sunday night, with Israel and the US launching a fresh wave of devastating strikes on Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Israel targeted the country’s fuel infrastructure for the first time in nine days, sparking apocalyptic scenes with the skies over the capital city turning red and black.

Iran has vowed to increase missile attacks as the country elected Mojtaba Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader. He is the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in US-Israel airstrikes on February 28.

Closer to home, Ms Brown explained her biggest worry with travelling to Indonesia was being stuck overseas and separated from her children. 

‘I thought I don’t want to go over to Bali and be stuck over there if it all goes to s***,’ she said. 

‘My concern was that I didn’t want to be in another country, away from my kids, and not be able to get back to them.’

Ms Brown said she had planned her trip for ‘so long’ and had already ‘paid for it all’. 

She said she had booked a flexible flight, meaning she could go at a later date.

‘Every time I book a holiday to Bali, I always book the starter fares,’ she said. 

‘I never book the option that comes with a package where you can change your mind, but for some reason, this holiday I did. 

‘Maybe that was my subconscious telling me without even realising.’

Social media users revealed they were reconsidering their travel plans as well. 

‘We are meant to be flying from Brisbane to Perth in three weeks and I’m worried about low fuel supplies and getting stuck in Perth,’ one said. 

‘I’m going to Bali in two weeks and I have to admit that I’m starting to feel anxious. This whole conflict is starting to make me worried,’ a second said. 

‘I think you made the right choice because I saw a video on here last night of Bali airport in absolute chaos,’ another said. 

‘Whether or not flights back to Australia get cancelled is irrelevant, the staff there are completely overwhelmed because of the flights being canceled that were scheduled to go through Middle Eastern airspace. Always go with your gut.’

A fourth said they would ‘do the same’. 

‘Anxiety sucks so do what’s best for you. Holiday in Australia till you know it’s ok to go over,’ they wrote.

A flight attendant attempted to alleviate any concerns. 

‘Just going to say as an Australian flight attendant, there is literally no concern about any of our Bali flights from Australia,’ they said. 

‘I know that won’t help your mind at all, but we will have no issues at all with any Bali to Australia flights at all during this time. 

‘I guess nothing can stop anxiety about this, but as someone who works in this industry, nothing is happening here.’