Denpasar. A surge in holiday travel at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has pushed passenger traffic to 595,000 during the first 10 days of the 2026 Eid transportation period, marking a 4% increase from the same period last year.

Aircraft movements between March 13 and March 22, 2026, reached 3,623 flights, up 5% from the corresponding period in the 2025 Eid season.

General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Nugroho Jati, said the airport handled 595,000 passenger movements over the 10-day span.

“The figure reflects a 4% increase compared to the same period last year,” Nugroho said in Denpasar, Bali, on Monday.

He added that the rise was partly driven by additional flights requested by airlines. “As of March 22, the airport has accommodated 104 additional flights out of 144 requests,” he said.

Airport authorities recorded the peak of arriving passenger traffic on Wednesday, with 71,442 passengers and 412 aircraft movements. The return travel peak is projected for Saturday, March 28, 2026, with around 73,000 passengers expected.

During the Eid holiday period, the busiest additional routes were Denpasar–Jakarta, Denpasar–Surabaya, and Denpasar–Semarang, underscoring Bali’s role as one of the country’s busiest travel hubs during the long holiday.

Airport management said flight operations and passenger services during the Eid transportation period have been running smoothly, covering aviation operations, airport services, and overall passenger handling.

To mark the holiday season, the airport also staged cultural activities. Following a Balinese cultural parade ahead of Nyepi, Eid-themed performances—including Middle Eastern dance shows—were held at both domestic and international terminals last Friday.