23 Dec 2024
Mangupura, December 23, 2024 – Passenger traffic at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport continues to surge during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holiday season (Nataru). Within the first five days of the Command Post operation, the airport recorded 358,901 passengers, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which saw 320,890 passengers.
General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, stated that the increase had been anticipated due to the holiday travel season. “We predicted higher traffic entering the Christmas holidays. In just five days, we have served nearly 359,000 passengers, showing a 12 percent growth compared to the same period last year,” he said.
Daily data highlights the steady growth: 67,268 passengers on December 18, 67,220 on December 19, 75,022 on December 20, and 72,722 on December 21. The peak day was December 22 (three days before Christmas), with 76,669 passengers, Syaugi added.
On average, the airport is now handling around 72,000 passengers per day during the Nataru period, compared to 65,000 daily passengers throughout 2024 reflecting a 10 percent increase in overall traffic volume.
As a world-class tourism hub, Bali recorded more arrivals than departures during this period. “Since the Nataru Command Post began on December 18, inbound passengers have accounted for 53 percent, or 191,000 travelers 83,000 domestic and 108,000 international while 47 percent, or 167,000 passengers, departed from Bali,” Syaugi explained.
Aircraft movements also reflected a positive trend. During the 2023 Christmas holiday period, there were 2,042 flight movements, while this year saw an increase of 4 percent to 2,120 flights an average of 424 per day, compared to the usual 387 daily movements between January and November, representing a 10 percent increase.
The busiest routes were Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta) with 467 flights carrying 73,811 passengers, Singapore with 182 flights and 39,045 passengers, and Surabaya with 146 flights serving 24,797 passengers.
With the surge in passengers, flights, and vehicles during the peak season, airport management reaffirmed its commitment to smooth operations. “We began preparing for the Nataru monitoring post three months in advance. Supported by various stakeholders, we have ensured the readiness of facilities, services, human resources, and all operational systems to maintain seamless airport operations,” Syaugi emphasized.
As an additional note, the airport introduced new facilities on December 20, 2024, including dedicated pick-up lanes for buses and minibuses, as well as a Trans Metro Dewata bus stop. These upgrades, part of the airport’s revitalization program, are expected to enhance passenger convenience, particularly for those using public transportation or group shuttle services.
