Ngurah Rai Airport Receives Bomb Threat, Celukan Bawang Port Prepared as Java-Bali Alternative Route
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali received an electronic message containing a bomb threat on Sunday, 2 August 2026, at 21:58 Wita. Following an investigation, the message was confirmed to be a hoax. Communication & Legal Division Head Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi stated that the Airport Security Committee and relevant agencies immediately implemented standard security threat handling procedures, but no indication of the threat’s validity was found. Sandi assured that flight operations and airport services continued to run safely, smoothly, and under control. He urged the public not to disseminate sensitive prank information, emphasising that the airport is a vital national asset with strict security measures in place. Police are continuing to investigate the dissemination of the false information.
The central government is maturing plans for Celukan Bawang Port in Buleleng to serve as an alternative Java-Bali crossing route. The initiative aims to reduce congestion on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk route during the Eid homecoming season and the Christmas and New Year holidays. Assistant Deputy for Maritime and Air Connectivity Balkis Kusumawati led a review of the port’s infrastructure readiness, operational facilities, and road access on Thursday, 6 August 2026. The government is still finalising various studies, including port infrastructure, land and sea operations, and traffic management. General Manager of Pelindo Regional 3 Celukan Bawang Branch, Mochammad Imron, stated that Pelindo is ready to support the development, hoping the collaboration will accelerate the port’s realisation as a new connectivity hub and boost economic growth in North Bali.
Two Indian nationals were arrested at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for carrying narcotics. The suspects, identified as AR (28) and PC (31), were detained on Monday, 3 August 2026, at the international arrivals terminal after arriving from Thailand on Scoot Air. Police seized cannabis paste valued at approximately Rp 1.5 billion from their luggage.