Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport was momentarily put on high alert on Saturday evening, 02 August 2026, after receiving threats surrounding a homemade bomb and a possible aircraft hijacking.
As reported by Tribun-Bali, the InJourney Airports Contact Center at the Airport received a WhatsApp message purportedly sent by a Canadian national, identified by police with the initials EPD, using an international phone number with the “61” Australian dialing prefix.
The message ascribed to the Canadian EPD claimed that a woman identified with the initials LH was carrying a bomb and was preparing to hijack a flight departing from the Bali Airport.
Shortly before 2:00 am on Sunday, 03 August, a joint law-enforcement and airport-security team implemented strict security protocols at the airport. Two international flights operated by Emirates and Etihad that had already completed boarding were subjected to additional inspection measures.
A spokesman for the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police, 2nd Police Inspector I Gede Suka Artana, speaking with the authorization of Police Chief AKBP I Made Hendra Agustina, explained that on Sunday at 9:58 pm the threatening electronic message was sent to InJourney Airports. “Upon receiving the information, personnel from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police—specifically the Criminal Investigation Unit—immediately took follow-up measures by coordinating with relevant parties,” said Artana.
Police continue to investigate the incident. This includes coordinating with relevant agencies and summoning the individuals who received the electronic communication.
“We are continuing to investigate and examine the information in accordance with established procedures. All actions are being carried out professionally, involving coordination with relevant parties,” said Artana.
Artana issued assurances that public security and order at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport remain safe and stable. He also emphasized that flight operations and services for airport users are proceeding normally.
Continuing, the police spokesman said: “We call on the entire community to work together to maintain a safe, comfortable, and stable environment in the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport area for the well-being of all passengers and airport service users.”
Following the incident, the chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adyana, commended the preparedness of all security personnel and relevant agencies for their swift response to the bomb and hijacking threat.
“The Bali Tourism Board appreciates the swift response from Angkasa Pura, Aviation Security (Avsec), the police, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), and all relevant agencies that handled the situation according to procedure. Prompt, coordinated, and transparent handling is key to maintaining tourist confidence in Bali as a safe destination,” said Adyana on Tuesday, 04 August 2026.
Adyana underscored the importance of collaboration and transparency of information to ensure that such incidents do not negatively affect Bali’s tourism image on the global stage.
Commenting on the incident, Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, Head of the Communication & Legal Division at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, said on Tuesday, 04 August 2026: “Regarding the security threat at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, we can state that on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 10:58 pm airport authorities received electronic information containing an alleged bomb threat.”
He stated that the security committee and relevant agencies immediately implemented security threat response procedures in accordance with established standard operating procedures.
“Based on further investigation, no evidence was found to substantiate the threat received by the airport authorities,” Asmadi said. He further stated that flight operations and airport services at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport continue to run safely, smoothly, and under controlled conditions.
The management of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, urges all airport service users and the general public to remain calm and to avoid believing or spreading unverified information.
”As the airport operator, we are committed to consistently ensuring the security and safety of airport operations,” he added.
”We also urge the public and airport service users not to joke about, fabricate, or disseminate false information regarding bomb threats or any other form of security threat at the airport,” Asmadi explained.
The airport is a vital national asset, and its security is strictly enforced in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Under the law, conveying false information about security threats or disruptions at the airport constitutes a violation and is subject to sanctions under prevailing regulations.
Related Links
Angkasa Pura – Bali Airport Website
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