International passenger arrivals at Bali up 45 percent

Balis Ngurah Rai Airport recorded a 45 percent increase in international passenger arrivals three days prior to the Christmas and New Years holidays.

“The number of international passengers rose to 13,938, or 45 percent, compared to the same period last year,” Trikora Harjo, the general manager of PT Angkasa Pura I, the operator of the airport, stated here on Wednesday.

The passengers from various countries arrived aboard 73 flights at the Goddess Island.

Harjo has forecast that the number would continue to increase ahead of the New Years Eve celebrations.

Domestic passenger arrivals also increased to 15,663, or almost two percent, compared to the same period last year and also in comparison to the 11,987 passengers who have departed from Bali.

The number of both domestic and international passenger arrivals has already begun increasing two days ago.

To anticipate the hike in passenger arrivals, the airport authorities have set up monitoring posts in cooperation with the police, the TNI (military), and other security agencies.

In anticipation of the increase in arrivals, domestic airline companies Citilink and Lion Air have also applied to operate 180 additional flights to accommodate the departing passengers after the holidays.