Tourists Must Be Vigilant At Bali Airport As Security Combats Opportunistic Crime

Share The Article

Tourists traveling through Bali are being advised to remain vigilant as they transit through Bali Airport.

Security teams work around the clock to keep passengers and airport staff safe, but it is a widely acknowledged fact that opportunistic criminals operate in the area. 

Passengers traveling through Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport are being warned to remain vigilant as they move through the terminal buildings and parking areas. 

The I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Area Police have issued updates for tourists, warning passengers that they are at risk of becoming a victim of theft if they do not keep a close eye on their belongings, especially in busy and transient areas of the airport complex. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (@baliairport)

The Head of Public Relations of the Ngurah Rai Airport Area Police, Ipda I Gede Suka Artana, told reporters, “The crime exists because there is an opportunity. When we give an opportunity, then the perpetrator will plan his action.”

He noted that prime spots for opportunistic thieves to operate include the arrival and departure pick-up and drop-off zones, parking areas, and meeting points across the airport site. He noted that it’s not only thieves who target valuable items from a person, but also those who will opportunistically swipe bags, phones, headphones, wallets, and other valuables that have been left behind by accident or left unattended for a few moments. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (@baliairport)

Artana added, “Ngurah Rai Airport Police will try to provide the best service. We are committed to providing a sense of security as well as providing ease of information so that Ngurah Rai Airport remains a comfortable gateway for all.” 

He confirmed that security teams will continue to work around the clock to help create a sense of safety for passengers and surveil the area for suspicious and criminal activity. Artana told reporters, “We want to make sure that every passenger feels protected from the moment they arrive until they leave the airport. The presence of the police in the field is not only a matter of security, but also a real form of humanistic service of the National Police to the community.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (@baliairport)

The news comes as Bali Airport confirms that between January and August 2025, the terminals serviced 4.8 million international arrivals. This is a 12.4% increase in international arrivals compared to the same period in 2024. Data now shows that the busiest month in the year to date was July, when 718,991 international passengers landed in Bali.

This averages at 23,000 people per day. In August, the figure was still comparatively high, with 703,000 international arrivals landing in Bali to enjoy the final weeks of the long school holidays.

Speaking to reporters, the General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, confirmed that Australian tourists are still the largest contributor to tourist visits in Bali. Figures show that 1,094,194 Australian passengers landed in Bali between January and August 2025, which notes a growth of 6.3% from the same period in 2024. 

Australian tourists were followed by Indian tourists, of whom 395,101 passengers landed in Bali between January and the end of August, which also experienced a notable increase of 5.5%. 

As has long been the case, tourists from China completed the top three most frequent international arrivals, with 393,825 passengers, and showed the most significant increase, of 20.6%.

This was followed by a tourist visit from South Korea, adding up to 246,448 passengers, and the UK, with 226,354 passengers, to complete the top five. Shahab told reporters, “In line with Australia’s market dominance, three of the five most populous international flight routes are routes to and from cities in Australia.”

Shahab shared his hopes that this positive trend in arrival figures will continue throughout 2025 and that he and his team remain committed to serving passengers as best as possible. He conceded, “We are committed to continuing to improve services and facilities, so that the passenger experience at Ngurah Rai Airport is more comfortable and memorable.

The latest example is the implementation of the All Indonesia system, which is the result of synergy with Immigration, Customs and Excise, and BBKK, gradually since July 2025. With All Indonesia, the arrival process of international passengers becomes faster and easier.”