Ngurah Rai Airport started operations in 1931 by using a grass runway.
The runway was upgraded during the years of 1941 to 1947 and lengthened to 1600 metres.
It was named Tuban Airport as it was in Tuban Village.

In 1949 buildings and other flight facilities were added.
But it wasn't until 1963 that the International Civil Aviation Organisation admitted Tuban Airport as an international airport.

In the years 1965 to 1969 the runway was further lengthened to 2700 metres.
This involved major works as an area of sea was reclaimed for about 1000 metres.
The finishing of the runway extension was marked by the official Opening ceremony on August 1st 1969 by president Soeharto and was renamed Ngurah Rai Airport

To accommodate the ever increasing number of passengers using the airport, the Government of Indonesia decided to increase facilities.
The runway was lengthened to 3000 metres, the taxiways relocated, and the airport updated with new navigational aids and aircraft refuelling facilities.