Jakarta. Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport served around 18.23 million passengers between January and September 2025, up 1 percent from the same period last year.

The airport’s international routes saw stronger growth, with 11.53 million passengers recorded during the nine-month period, an increase of 9 percent year-on-year.

General Manager Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the growth in international passengers was supported by the addition of new routes this year.

“Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney Airports) and airlines continue to strengthen Bali’s flight connectivity as part of our collective effort to support the island’s tourism,” Ahmad said in a statement on Sunday.

Among the newly opened routes in 2025 were flights from and to Chengdu, China, and Cheongju, South Korea, which began operations in September.

Ahmad added that the improved connectivity also complements Bali’s recent recognition as the Best Island in Asia 2025 by Condé Nast Traveller, which gave the island a score of 96.86 in its Readers’ Choice Awards. “I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, along with other stakeholders, is committed to promoting Bali’s beauty to the world through excellent service for both domestic and international travelers,” Ahmad said.

The commitment is reflected in the airport’s ongoing transformation under InJourney Airports, focusing on world-class infrastructure. New developments include a visually striking pedestrian bridge connecting the terminal and parking area, along with redesigned pickup zones for passenger convenience. The terminal area has also been enhanced with greener aesthetics and traditional Balinese architectural motifs. These upgrades are expected to raise the airport’s annual capacity from 24 million to 32 million passengers.

“Through this transformation, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport continues to strengthen its role as Indonesia’s tourism gateway,” Ahmad said.