WOMADelaide faced major travel disruption as more than 120 artists and crew could not arrive in time due to global flight disruptions tied to ongoing conflicts.

Organisers have spent about $160,000 coordinating last‑minute alternative flights from cities around the world to keep the festival program on track in Adelaide.

Festival director Ian Scobie stressed the event’s mission to unite people and said delivering the program remains a relief for everyone involved despite the travel chaos.

Several marquee acts were already in the country or on the way before the disruption hit, with Grace Jones midway through her Australian tour and Jovanotti having arrived in February, while Arrested Development and Yothu Yindi are also on the lineup.

WOMADelaide runs at Botanic Park from Friday to Monday, as organizers emphasize unity through world music amid travel challenges in the 29th edition.

Headlining act Roberto Fonseca and his team faced routing disruptions; organizers sourced an alternate Madrid–Paris–Perth–Melbourne path after their Havana route was interrupted by the crisis.

Only three acts were unable to reach Adelaide in time: Alfio Antico & Go Dugong (Italy), the Bhutan Balladeers, and Asmâa Hamzaoui and Bnat Timbouktou (Morocco).

The festival features more than 600 artists, with 19 of 47 international performance teams affected by travel disruptions, creating significant logistical challenges for organizers.