Ngurah Rai Airport’s new transfer bridge speeds links between terminals

Denpasar — I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has begun operating a new International–Domestic Terminal Transfer Bridge, offering a controlled airside connection between Bali’s international and domestic terminals for eligible transit passengers from 17 August 2026, Indonesia’s Independence Day.

The bridge is designed for passengers transferring between international arrivals and domestic departures, and between domestic arrivals and international departures, without exiting the terminal or reclaiming checked baggage. According to statements from airport management reported by local media, the facility is intended to shorten transfer times and make Bali a more attractive transit hub within Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

For now, access to the bridge is limited. Airport and airline staff will advise passengers on eligibility, which depends on the specific connecting itinerary and participating carriers. General Manager Nugroho Jati has been quoted as saying that initial access is restricted to transfer passengers on certain airlines, with the service targeted to expand gradually to all transfer passengers.

Shorter transfer times for passengers and baggage

Nugroho Jati stated that the transfer bridge was introduced to improve comfort and efficiency by coordinating processes among airlines, ground handlers, immigration, customs and quarantine authorities. Several outlets report that the bridge significantly reduces the average time needed to move between terminals for both passengers and baggage.

Data cited by airport management and carried in local and national media give indicative average times for existing routes and for the new bridge:

• International arrivals to domestic departures previously took about 90 minutes for passengers and around 150 minutes for baggage.
• Domestic arrivals to international departures previously took about 70–90 minutes for passengers and around 120–150 minutes for baggage.
• Using the new bridge, passenger transfers are projected to take around 15 minutes, with baggage handling around 45 minutes.

These figures are described as average projections based on operational planning rather than guaranteed timings for every itinerary. Actual connection times will still depend on airline eligibility, baggage processing and the applicable border-control procedures for each journey.

According to reports aimed at travellers and investors, the bridge is expected to make Bali a more practical connecting point for international visitors continuing to cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya or Labuan Bajo, especially on itineraries where the same airline or alliance handles both sectors. Travel advisories recommend that passengers confirm eligibility and minimum connection times directly with their airline before booking short layovers, as specific participating carriers have not been publicly listed.

Route, formalities and accessibility

The bridge links the international arrival hall to Gate 1 in the domestic departures area, and from the domestic arrivals exit to Gate 1 in the international departures terminal, creating a controlled path for eligible transit passengers in both directions. Media reports note that the facility is equipped with immigration counters, customs, quarantine services and a security checkpoint along the route.

Passengers who already hold boarding passes for their onward flights and are travelling on eligible connecting itineraries can remain airside and do not need to exit to the public area or reclaim checked baggage; ground handling and airline staff process baggage transfers simultaneously.

The bridge is reported to include escalators and lifts to support passenger movement between levels, including those with mobility needs. However, available coverage does not yet detail specific accessibility procedures, such as how wheelchair assistance is requested or coordinated for bridge users.

Part of a wider upgrade of Bali’s main gateway

The airport is operated by PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (Persero), which oversees facilities and operations across the terminal complex. The transfer bridge forms part of broader efforts to modernise the airport and strengthen its position as a regional transit hub, with local travel industry reporting comparing the ambitions to established hubs in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Articles published around 18–21 August describe the bridge as operational from 17 August 2026 in conjunction with the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, while emphasising that eligibility is still limited to defined transit itineraries and selected airlines. Airport management has indicated that access will be expanded in stages, but no timeline has yet been publicly reported for full availability to all transfer passengers.

Sources

• RRI Denpasar – "Bandara Ngurah Rai Resmi Operasikan Jembatan Transfer Pangkas Waktu 45 Menit"
• Balijani.id – "Kado HUT RI ke-81, Bandara I Gusti Ngurah Rai Operasikan Jembatan Penghubung Transfer Terminal Internasional-Domestik"
• The Bali Sun – "Upgrades To Bali Airport For Tourists Revealed In Honor Of Independence Day"
• GoBaliGo – "Bali News | New Transfer Bridge Opens at Ngurah Rai Airport"
• NusaBali – "Tepat di Hari Kemerdekaan, Jembatan Transfer Antar Terminal Bandara Ngurah Rai Beroperasi"
• WhatsNewIndonesia – "I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Unveils New Domestic–International Transfer"
• Literasi Post – "Bandara Ngurah Rai Segera Hadirkan Jembatan Transfer Penumpang Antar Terminal"
• Investor.id – "Bandara Ngurah Rai Percepat Transfer Penumpang Antar Terminal"