BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Passengers arriving at and departing from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport received a warm welcome as Bali marked the start of 2026 on Thursday, January 1.
The airport’s management greeted the first arriving passenger of the new year with a traditional flower garland as a gesture of appreciation. A similar farewell was extended to the last passenger departing Bali, symbolizing the airport’s commitment to hospitality at both ends of the travel experience.
The welcoming ceremony, which also included souvenir gifts, was led by Wahyudi, CEO Regional II of Angkasa Pura Indonesia, alongside Ngurah Rai Airport General Manager Nugroho Jati. The New Year atmosphere was further enhanced by a Balinese cultural dance performance, presented as part of ongoing efforts to promote local culture to travelers.
According to Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s Communication and Legal Division Head, Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, the event took place during a significant increase in passenger activity ahead of the year-end holiday period.
Between December 24 and December 31, 2025, Ngurah Rai Airport handled a total of 581,709 passengers. Of this number, 320,246 passengers arrived in Bali, comprising 185,478 international arrivals and 134,768 domestic arrivals. Meanwhile, 261,463 passengers departed the island during the same period, including 150,299 international and 111,164 domestic travelers.
“In percentage terms, arrivals accounted for 55 percent of passenger traffic, while departures made up 45 percent,” Asmadi said on Thursday afternoon.
The peak of passenger movement during the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) 2025/2026 transport period occurred on December 28, 2025. On that day, the airport served 83,318 passengers, consisting of 43,645 arrivals, or 52 percent, and 39,673 departures, or 48 percent. This figure was around 26 percent higher than the average daily passenger volume throughout 2025, which stood at 66,222 passengers.
Asmadi noted that Bali continues to be one of Indonesia’s leading tourism destinations, particularly during the year-end holiday season.
“Ngurah Rai Airport, as the main gateway to Bali, remains fully committed to providing airport services that are not only safe and reliable, but also deliver a meaningful and memorable travel experience for every passenger,” he said.