Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport has ranked among the top three busiest airports in Southeast Asia, trailing only Singapore’s Changi and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airports. These hubs are considered the main regional and international gateways.
Other key players include Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Their popularity among passengers is due to Malaysia’s strategic location and the growing tourist appeal of the Philippines.
Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport secured the second-to-last position in the ranking, demonstrating a rising demand for travel to the island.
This is supported by data from airport authorities. Recent figures show that the number of passengers passing through Ngurah Rai Airport from the start of the year to December reached 23.6 million. Furthermore, in the near future, the airport’s capacity is expected to increase from 24 million passengers annually to 32 million. According to Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, this improvement will be achieved through optimization and spatial restructuring.
The optimization of Ngurah Rai Airport’s infrastructure is divided into two phases. Work is being carried out simultaneously in the passenger terminal area and the airport’s forecourt. For instance, additional auto-gates have already been installed not only in the international arrivals area but also in the departures area. Space in the arrivals area has been optimized, with the introduction of comfortable waiting zones for taxis. Traffic flow near the airport is also being reorganized to reduce congestion.
The development of Bali’s airport infrastructure is managed by PT Angkasa Pura Property (APP). Its President Director, Eko Wibowo, explained that the optimization includes upgrading terminal equipment, improving operational systems, and enhancing aesthetics with elements that reflect Balinese cultural wisdom. This initiative aims to improve passenger comfort and strengthen the airport’s competitiveness as an international tourism hub.
“Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is Indonesia’s face to the world. With this project, we aim to create facilities that are not only functional but also visually impressive, thereby supporting Bali’s tourism sector,” Eko Wibowo stated.
The list of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia also concludes with another Indonesian airport, Hasanuddin Airport. It serves travelers heading to Makassar on the island of Sulawesi.
The list of the 10 busiest airports in Southeast Asia was compiled using data from OAG, a global provider of travel data. The statistics were based on the total number of seats available in December 2024.
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