Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport Enhances Travel with New Autogates and Lower Flight Costs

Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport ranks as one of Indonesia’s busiest hubs, accommodating over 2.2 million passengers each month. In response to this high traffic, local authorities are working to enhance efficiency and convenience for travelers.

In addition to these efforts, Indonesian ministers are considering strategies to make flights more affordable for both domestic and international passengers.

Recently, the airport implemented a new series of autogates designed to streamline the arrival and departure processes for tourists. The first set of these autogates was introduced earlier this year in the international terminals, with ongoing plans to extend their use to further enhance Bali’s immigration services.

Ngurah Rai Suhendra, the Head of the TPI Class I Immigration Office, emphasized that the airport now has 60 operational autogates, allowing the processing of over 120 passengers per minute. The recent installation of 30 additional autogates brings the total to 60, with an additional 20 expected to be operational by the end of the month, resulting in a total of 80 gates across the terminals.

These autogates are accessible to international travelers with electronic passports, those using an e-visa on arrival, any e-visa category, KITAS or KITAP holders, and travelers from visa-exempt countries such as ASEAN nations. Tourists are advised to apply for their e-VOA before arriving in Indonesia, as it is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days, all managed online. The e-VOA and VOA are available to travelers from 97 countries and are priced at IDR 500,000.

This automated system enables travelers to complete standard immigration checks, including stamping in and out of the country, within 20-30 seconds. The system is designed to reduce wait times, even during peak travel periods. While the automation significantly expedites the immigration process, it is intended to support rather than replace the work of immigration officers.

The expansion of digitalized immigration and travel services is part of a broader initiative to make travel to Bali more convenient. Additionally, there is an emphasis on ensuring that travel remains affordable.

Recently, the Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, visited Bali and expressed support for a proposed policy change to remove certain flight taxes, aiming to lower overall travel costs. He noted that these taxes contribute to high ticket prices and limit options for travelers flying in and out of Bali and for domestic flights. Minister Uno is also keen on encouraging tourists to explore other regions of Indonesia during their stay.

However, Minister Uno acknowledged that eliminating flight taxes would require finding alternative methods to make up for the lost revenue. He suggested that a combination of policies could be developed to offset the loss while potentially increasing state income through domestic tourism.

The Minister for Investment and Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, also announced plans to collaborate with airlines and transportation authorities to reduce flight costs or introduce subsidies to address the rising cost of air travel. He mentioned that his team is reviewing aircraft operating costs as part of these efforts.

Impact on Bali’s Rental Property Market

The recent upgrades at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport are expected to positively influence the Bali rental property market. As the airport enhances the immigration process and makes travel more affordable, it becomes more convenient and attractive for tourists to visit the island. This, in turn, could increase the demand for rental properties, such as Bali villas.

For those looking to rent a villa in Bali, the improved ease of travel could lead to more frequent and longer stays, benefiting property owners and rental agencies. The influx of visitors, drawn by the seamless travel experience and reduced airfare, could result in higher occupancy rates and potentially increased rental income for those involved in Bali’s rental property market. As Bali continues to improve its infrastructure and accessibility, investing in Bali villas for rent becomes an increasingly appealing option for both short-term tourists and long-term renters alike.