Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has overhauled baggage and security screening to cut queues and speed departures. The new flow, effective June 12, 2025, moves baggage checks to after check-in and uses faster scanners and automated systems to keep lines moving.
The airport says the changes help tourists and workers move through the facility safely and quickly. The upgrades matter now because holiday peaks push daily passenger counts near 70,000, and monthly traffic has crossed 2 million this year.
What’s different at the airport today
- New Security Screening Protocols: Security now screens checked and carry-on bags after self-reporting or check-in, not before. This removes the early bottleneck at the entrance and spreads volume across more checkpoints, preventing check-in counters from backing up.
- X-ray MVXR technology: The airport introduced X-ray MVXR imaging at both the Hold Baggage Screening Checkpoint (HBSCP) and the Passenger Security Checkpoint (PSCP). This system scans bags faster while still detecting threats. The rollout follows the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation’s Decree No. 39 of 2024, which sets national rules on aviation security equipment and standards.
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Automated Tray Return Systems (ATRS): Security lanes now include machines that return empty trays automatically. With ATRS, passengers can load trays at several positions at once. Passengers no longer need to remove laptops, tablets, or toiletries from bags, reducing pauses and stress at the belt.
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Split lanes for extra checks: If a bag needs more screening, the system diverts it to a separate lane so the main line doesn’t stall. Upgraded lanes increase throughput from about 200 to 500 passengers per hour.
Why this matters for travelers
Bali Airport handles 23–25 million passengers each year. During busy periods—Eid al-Fitr, Easter, and long school breaks—lines previously stretched across halls. With the new flow and technology, passengers pass security up to 2.5 times faster.
- In April 2025 alone, the airport handled 2,028,344 passengers, and the improved process helped absorb that demand with fewer delays.
What officials are saying
General Manager Wahyudi stresses the plan puts traveler comfort first without lowering safety. He notes the system meets international aviation security rules and keeps checks firm but faster.
PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s President-Director, Faik Fahmi, highlights how ATRS and MVXR imaging work together: belts keep moving, fewer bags need manual searches, and staff can focus on exceptions rather than every item.
“We want guests to feel calm at security. They shouldn’t worry about taking out laptops or liquids. We’ve designed lanes that flow, even when it’s busy.” — Wahyudi
“We’ve tuned the lanes to handle today’s crowds. These upgrades remove choke points and help our teams act fast when a bag needs more attention.” — Faik Fahmi
The technology behind faster lanes
- X-ray MVXR technology
- Multi-view X-ray gives officers clearer angles and better detail.
- Officers can rotate views and approve bags without stopping the belt, reducing repeat scans.
- ATRS (Automated Tray Return Systems)
- Trays cycle automatically without staff resetting stacks.
- Multiple loading points let families and solo travelers prepare at their own pace.
- Reduces idle time on the belt.
- Dynamic diversion
- Software flags bags for extra screening and diverts them to a side lane.
- Officers inspect flagged bags there while the main lane continues.
- This protects privacy and reduces pressure on the main queue.
Real-world impact: a family’s trip
Picture a family of four flying home after a week in Ubud:
- They check in first, then head to security with laptops still in backpacks and tablets in carry-ons.
- At the ATRS lane, everyone loads trays; the belt doesn’t stop.
- One bag is flagged and rolls into a side lane for inspection while the main line keeps moving.
- The officer clears the bag and reunites it with the family.
Total time at security: about 8 minutes, instead of 20+ minutes on a busy day.
Broader modernization effort
These changes are part of a larger plan to raise capacity to 32 million passengers per year without building new terminals. The operator is:
- Adding more digital tools and smarter routing
- Improving data systems so managers can spot pile-ups and open lanes in minutes
- Studying longer operating hours and better links to buses and other transport to ease access
What this means for different groups
- Tourists: Shorter lines, simpler prep, and fewer surprises. Not removing electronics saves time and reduces worry.
- Families and seniors: More loading points and fewer bag repacks mean less stress. Clear signage helps keep groups together.
- Airline staff: Fewer backups at check-in and smoother flows to gates reduce missed flights and customer complaints.
- Security teams: Officers focus on flagged items instead of repeating routine checks. Training targets unusual patterns rather than routine laptop removals.
Tips to move even faster through security
- Pack electronics in the middle of your carry-on, not on the outside, to keep bags compact for scanning.
- Place metal items (keys, coins, belts with big buckles) into your bag before the belt to avoid alarms.
- Keep documents handy; you’ll still need your boarding pass and ID at times.
- Follow lane signs—if staff directs you to a different lane, go there to help the system balance loads.
- For checked bags, avoid power banks inside checked luggage; keep them in carry-on per safety rules.
Official rules and traveler rights
Indonesia sets nationwide aviation security standards for screening equipment and procedures. For official guidance, consult the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation. The ministry publishes policies, contact details, regulations, and updates on its official website.
How this compares to global trends
Many international hubs now use multi-view X-ray and ATRS to keep belts moving and reduce the need to unpack electronics. Bali’s upgrades align with that trend and adapt it to a high-growth leisure market.
- Analysis from VisaVerge.com indicates pairing modern scanners with smarter lane design sharply reduces wait times without loosening safety.
Looking ahead
Through 2025, the airport plans to:
- Expand smart lanes
- Add more MVXR units
- Increase real-time monitoring across terminals
If passenger demand continues rising, managers can open more ATRS lanes at peak times. There are also ongoing talks about 24-hour operations and new transport links for late-night arrivals and early departures.
What to do if you face a delay
- Ask staff about alternative lanes; nearby lanes may have space.
- If your bag goes to a side lane, stay calm and follow staff directions—these checks are usually quick.
- Keep your boarding pass ready; if tight on time, speak to the airline desk for assistance.
Bottom line for travelers
- Security now happens after check-in, not before.
- X-ray MVXR speeds screening for both checked and carry-on bags.
- ATRS means you don’t need to remove laptops, tablets, or toiletries.
- Split lanes for extra checks keep the main flow moving.
- Peak crowds feel less painful thanks to faster lanes and better routing.
For official aviation security information and Indonesia’s national standards, visit the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation’s website. As these upgrades continue, visitors should see faster lines, fewer bag checks, and a calmer trip from check-in to gate. The airport’s message: keep security strong, make travel smoother, and keep Bali’s welcome warm—even on the busiest days.
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