Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport is the island’s only commercial airport.
Its terminals are among the busiest in Indonesia and serve routes both internationally and domestically.
Airport Managers are always seeking to improve passengers’ travel experiences.
Changes have come into effect at Bali Airport’s domestic terminal to improve the pick-up and drop-off process, which will improve traffic flow and passenger safety.
The General Manager of Ngurah Rai Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, told reporters that the improved one-way system will help increase the number of pick-up lanes and provide safer crossing access for passengers. He said, “We hope this will further increase passenger comfort.”
Heryudhitiawan explained, “To make the journey easier for service users, we have installed a sign to direct the travel path so it can be seen easily.”
He added, “We also ensure that all personnel on duty at the airport are ready to serve and provide assistance if there are problems while at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.”
The airport currently serves twenty domestic flight routes in partnership with eleven airlines.
By the end of February, Bali’s domestic terminal had already served over 1.5 million passengers since the start of the year.
The airport has seen over 2 million international passengers pass through the terminal, and across both terminals, the airport is set to serve 23.6 million passengers in 2024.
Bali lovers could be spending more time at the domestic terminal than ever before as tourism leaders in Indonesia seek to promote ‘add-on Bali destinations’ to tourists.
Leaders want to see more international travelers exploring more of what the archipelago has to offer.
With more tourists seeking crowd-free, affordable destinations that provide a cultural experience, Bali is the gateway to Indonesia for eager exploration.
With the visa on arrival enabling up to 30 days of travel in Indonesia and a further 30 days if extended, there is a wealth of opportunity just waiting to be taken advantage of.
However, domestic flight prices in Indonesia are proving to be an issue for both Indonesian and international tourists across the country. Tourism leaders have assured that this issue will be resolved as soon as possible.
Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies Sanidaga Uno told reporters, “We heard that many people who go to Bali instead have to go abroad first. This is ironic at a time when our tourism is increasing. This is due to the lack of flights.”
However, Bali tourists don’t need to fly to explore other provinces. With East Java accessible from Bali by ferry and Lombok accessible by fast boat and ferry, tourists with strong sea legs can tick off two more Indonesian provinces, each unique to Bali in their own way, without stepping on a plane.
Nevertheless, upgrades, small and large, to Bali’s domestic terminal for passenger comfort will be well received by Bali lovers.
By the end of March, tourism tax payment counters will also be installed at the domestic terminal to make it easier for tourists who have visited or transited through other areas of Indonesia to pay their IDR 150,000 fee.
The Head of the Bali Tourism Office had praised international tourists arriving at Bali’s domestic terminal for their commitment to paying the fee before the counters were installed.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun told reporters last week, “To be fair to foreign tourists, sometimes even those who come from the domestic route walk directly to the counter at the international terminal because they are so disciplined.”
Of the 40% of tourists who have been paying the tourism tax so far, upwards of 80% have been using the Love Bali app or website.
However, once the counters are open at the domestic terminal tourists will be able to pay in person using a debit or credit card.
