New North Bali Airport
The Indonesian Government is under pressure from some communities in North Bali who want to see progress on election campaign promises to build a new international airport in the region.
The North Bali International Airport project has been on and off the cards for nearly a decade.
In light of recent floods in Bali, which have affected tens of thousands of people across the island and killed at least 18, residents are calling for government election promises to be fulfilled at the regency, provincial, and central government levels.
During his election campaign, now-President Prabowo Subianto visited communities in North Bali, as promised, to be the leader who could finally bring the multi-billion-dollar project to fruition.
Speaking to communities in Denpasar City during his first visit as leader in November 2024, President Subianto said, “North Bali Airport, as I have conveyed, I am committed, I want to build North Bali International Airport.”
He even stated, “We will make Bali make the new Singapore, the new Hong Kong, where we will be the center of this region.” Many communities were rallied by his vision and plans for the province, as he shared, “Indonesia must be prosperous, and Indonesia must be prosperous and fair; all Indonesians must enjoy prosperity, not just a few people, agree?”
Although just under a year on, with the island being hit with the worst rains in more than 70 years, and major political unrest in late August, President Subianto is being called to account by communities in North Bali, and across the country.
The Puri Sejebag of Bali, who represent the royal families and noble households of the island, have met to discuss making progress on the North Bali International Airport.
The Chairman of the Puri Sejebag Bali Daily, Cokorda Gde Putra Nindia, told reporters, “We thank President Prabowo, who has expressed his commitment to build North Bali International Airport through Presidential Decree No. 12/2025 About the National Medium Term Development Plan 2025-2029, which was signed by the president on February 10, 2025.”
Adding “The laying of this first stone is very important, so that all levels of society are not constantly asked, whether this project is really a road or just a political promise.”
Nindia confirmed that the Puri Sejebag gives its backing to the proposed location of the airport on the coast of Kubutambahan. T
They are content that the spatial planning is in line with regulations, including the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation No. 20/2014 and the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation No. 64/2018 concerning Procedures for Determining the Location of the Airport.
The Penglinsir of Puri Agung Singaraja, AA Ngurah Ugrasena, spoke to reporters about what he wants to see happen for the betterment of Bali moving forward. A Penglinsir in Bali is a respected religious elder. Ugrasena told reporters, “This is a real alarm that we cannot continue to allow development inequality. If the only international entrance is in the south, then all environmental, economic, and social burdens are piling up there.”
Ugrasena told reporters that the plans for North Bali International Airport have been stated in Presidential Decree No.12/2025, and he wished to see this honoured.
He cited concerns that Bali Governor Wayan Koster has spoken of transforming the site currently used as Lt Cl Wisnu Airport in North Bali into the project site, rather than proceeding with current plans to develop a new site, including some ocean reclamation land off the coast of Buleleng Regency.
He shared, “This is a real alarm that we cannot continue to allow development inequality. If the only international entrance is in the south, then all environmental, economic, and social burdens are piling up there.”
Ugrasena conceded, “We believe President Prabowo will fulfill his promise. North Bali is ready to become a new growth epicenter, for the sake of the balance of the island and the progress of the nation.”
Speaking separately, the CEO of PT BIBU Panji Sakti, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko, told reporters that plans are still full steam ahead.
He shared, “Investors are ready. We have signed an MoU with investors. We have proposed the Location Determination. We are targeting the first runway, from the two runways that we planned, to operate in 2028.”
New North Bali Airport Design
Vision For North Bali Airport Revealed As Designers Call New Travel Hub ‘ARTPORT’
The North Bali International Airport has been one of the hotly anticipated and contentious prospective projects Bali has ever seen.
The project has been on and off the cards for nearly a decade, but Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is clear that this massive infrastructural development will be made a reality during his term in office.
Until now, limited plans and visions of the North Bali International Airport project have been available to the public.
A series of basic graphic representations of the space had been shared by PT BIBU Panji Sakti, the company behind the project, back in 2021, and since then, very little more had been revealed.
For years, two of the biggest obstacles facing the team were funding and investment, followed by land acquisition, but all that has changed.
During his presidential election campaign, the now-President Prabowo Subianto visited Buleleng Regency in Bali and pledged to build a new airport during his term in office. Shortly after his inauguration, President Subianto visited Bali once again and told supporters, “North Bali Airport, as I have conveyed, I am committed, I want to build North Bali International Airport.” Adding “We will make Bali make the new Singapore, the new Hong Kong, where we will be the center of this region.”
Earlier this month, the Puri Sejebag of Bali, which represents the royal families and noble households of the province, met to discuss making progress on projects that will irreversibly change the economic, social, and environmental landscape of the island. The Puri Sejebag has given its blessing to the project and has called for progress to be sped up, and for President Subianto to stay true to his word.
In response to requests for progress from the Puri Sejebang, the CEO of PT BIBU Panji Sakti, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko, told reporters that plans are in full motion. He revealed, “Investors are ready. We have signed an MoU with investors. We have proposed the Location Determination. We are targeting the first runway, from the two runways that we planned, to operate in 2028.”
It has now been confirmed that the North Bali International Airport will be developed as a collaboration between PT BIBU Panji Sakti and Alien Design Consultant.
Alien is the mastermind behind major infrastructure projects across Indonesia, including the BUMN Spire, the Mandiri IT, the Twin Towers Massakar, and the Maritim Tower. North Bali International Airport is not the company’s first foray into transport hubs either. Alien Design Consultant is also designing the Labuan Bajo Airport in the Mentawai and the Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo.
Alien Design Consultant has published a series of new design images of North Bali International Airport, along with details behind the vision for the structural design and interior.
The designers have shared “The airport’s design embraces the ‘Bedawang Nala’ concept, inspired by Balinese mythology’s cosmic turtle, which symbolizes harmony and protection. This philosophy is embodied in the terminal’s organic architecture, with curves resembling a turtle’s shell, and a spatial layout that embraces the Tri Hita Karana values of harmony with God, humanity, and nature.”
Alien Design Consultant has confirmed that Bali International Airport will be located in Kubutambahan, Buleleng Regency, spanning over existing landscape and reclaimed land, and will be surrounded by an Aerocity and an Aerotropolis.
The airport is expected to serve 24 million international passengers annually, in addition to 6 million domestic passengers. With increased connectivity between East Java and West Bali, along with existing capacity at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, it is clear that North Bali International Airport is set to become the main international airport in Bali, with Ngurah Rai likely to draw more domestic passengers over time.
North Bali International Airport will feature 196 international check-in desks, 24 domestic check-in desks, 32 boarding bridges, and will have direct public transport connections enabling passengers to transfer to destinations across Bali with ease.
Alien Design Consultant has shared “Passengers will be greeted by a verdant inner court, a vibrant retail area, an amphitheater for cultural performances, and a modern waiting room that still exudes a Balinese feel. From the moment you arrive, every journey feels like a part of Bali’s story.”
Bali Hotels Poor Waste Management
Bali Hotels Given Ultimatum As Poor Waste Management Threatens Top Tourist Resorts
Some of Bali’s most popular hotels have been issued with an ultimatum by the Indonesian Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
The government minister has called on tourism leaders to take responsibility for the waste that their business operations create, and he has issued top hotel owners with a clear objective.
During a meeting chaired by the Indonesian Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, during a meeting of representatives of hotel general managers in Bali, the island’s starred hotels were issued a clear warning.
Minister Nurofiq and his team visited Bali to conduct a coasting on environmental performance assessments in the hospitality sector.
He told reporters, “Based on Law Number 18 of 2008, area owners are asked to finish their own garbage. Garbage is not allowed to come out except for residues that are charged to the local government, in this case, Mr. Governor and Mayor.”
Minister Nurofiq suggested that the issue of overflowing landfills, like Bali’s biggest open landfill site, Suwung TPA, is being put under even more pressure due to waste generated by the tourism sector. He told reporters, “We tried to check the condition at the Suwung landfill, and it turned out that the amount of waste reached 1,800 tons/day based on the incoming trucks. So where does this garbage come from if the population is only 1.1 million people served by the Suwung TPA?”
The minister was working from official figures which show that the the total population of Badung Regency and Denpasar City is around 1.1 million people, multiplied by the national waste production conversion of 0.5–0.7 kg per person per day or even with the highest conversion rate of 1.33 kg per person per day which would suggest that the amount of waste production for Badung and Denpasar should be around 1,300 tons per day.
Minister Nurofiq was clear that the vast majority of the excess waste production of 500 tons per day comes from the tourism sector, which is most highly concentrated in Badung Regency and Denpasar, two regions that have been served by the Suwung TPA, amongst others.
For this reason, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Bali Provincial Government are set to implement a series of waste management compliance measures for each hotel in Bali.
Speaking in response to orders from the environmental minister, Bali Governor Wayan Koster shared his regret at the attitude of the hospitality industry and tourism actors in Bali, which he told reporters are not considered to be ‘obedient enough’ in encouraging efforts to preserve the environment, especially in terms of waste management.
Governor Koster told reporters that Bali is beloved by international tourists for its unique culture and environment. He noted that sustainable waste management is a vital part of preserving Balinese culture and the natural environment, which are so closely connected.
Governor Koster shared, “Without culture, don’t expect Bali tourism to grow. So if we want Bali tourism to be good, we must preserve the culture. Number two that we must protect is the ecosystem: nature and its environment must be kept clean. Next, the infrastructure must also be good.”
Minister Hanif has now given three months’ notice for tourism accommodation owners, especially for star hotels in Bali, to handle their garbage. We have evaluated all elements, including the responsibility of these star hotels in Bali, Denpasar City, and Badung Regency. Later in the afternoon, we will discuss the results of the evaluation.”
He confirmed that the crackdown will first focus on star hotels since they have a higher turnover, which means they also produce larger volumes of waste compared to private villas, guesthouses, and B&Bs.
The minister confirmed that he will not hesitate to impose sanctions, considering the severity of the garbage condition in Bali. Minister Nurofiq concluded, “Bali is important; every wrong step that we tolerate, then there is also damage that will definitely happen.” Adding “So that for Bali with enough local wisdom that is not found elsewhere, we must take this step.”
North Bali’s Marine Ecosystems
Investment In North Bali’s Marine Ecosystems Creates Incredible Diving Adventures
The Buleleng Regency Government has confirmed that it has collaborated with the Indonesian National Armed Forces to install and plant a new coral reef and floating fish aggregating devices off the north coast of Bali.
Not only will these efforts impact the marine ecology, but they are also set to benefit impoverished local livelihoods and attract tourists.
North Bali is one of the most untouched areas of the island in terms of tourism development. This is why many leaders and tourism organisations are working to promote this region of the province to tourists. The island is struggling under the weight of localised overtourism and the impacts of mass tourism in the central south of the island.
There are extensive efforts underway to promote lesser-visited areas of the island to tourists who are seeking meaningful connections and authentic travel experiences. North Bali, along with the east and western regions of the island, is perfect for tourists seeking to explore Bali’s natural landscapes and local culture.
The Buleleng Regency Government has just installed a series of new coral reef growing stations and a series of floating fish aggregating devices to help improve marine conservation off the north coast of the island. The devices were installed off Banjar Beach on Tuesday, 30th September, as part of the 80th Anniversary celebrations of the Indonesian Army.
Speaking to reporters, the Regent of Buleleng, Nyoman Sutjidra, shared, “We fully support the environmental services activities held in the framework of the 80th Anniversary of the Indonesian Armed Forces.” He noted how the celebratory activities play an important role in coastal conservation, and showed his support for the accompanying social impact efforts, which saw army officers distribute food packages to community members in need.
Regent Sutijdra told reporters, “By preserving coral reefs, marine ecosystems will recover, biota will thrive, and fishermen will be able to catch better fish.”
While in the central south of Bali, tourism is one of the largest sectors of employment for local people. Across much of the island, especially in more rural areas, farming and fishing are the most common livelihoods for local communities.
Buleleng Regency’s coastline spans 157 km, which is one of the largest coastlines of the nine regencies in Bali.
Regent Sutijdra told reporters, “We need to continue strengthening coastal walls. Furthermore, enforcement of violations along the coastal boundaries also needs to be re-emphasised.”
Speaking separately, Brigadier General Ida I Dewa Agung Hadisaputra told reporters that the new aggregated fishing devices are set to help improve the working conditions of many local fishermen.
He confirmed that the devices have been installed in response to complaints from local fishermen, who have to go miles out to sea to catch their prey, whereas less than a generation ago, a full day’s catch could be obtained just 700m from shore.
Hadisaputra explained, “By installing coral reefs and floating fish aggregating devices, it is hoped that all fish will grow and attract larger fish and thereby increase the catches and reduce fishermen’s operational costs.”
The efforts by the Buleleng Regency Government and the Indonesian Armed Forces are complemented by long-standing and extensive efforts from NGOs operating in the Buleleng area.
Biorock Indonesia, for example, has been working in the Pemuteran region for years and has installed dozens of bio-rock coral reef restoration devices in the area.
For dive enthusiasts, North Bali offers a wide range of underwater ecosystems to explore.
Diving off Pemuteran is still considered a real hidden gem activity, and exploring the underwater realms around Menjangan Island in West Bali National Park offers tourists the chance to experience healthy coral reefs and marine wildlife without the huge crowds.
Looking for a excluse oceanfront Top-Dive Resort in North Bali
Main Article: New North Bali Airport
All article above are provided by “The Bali Sun“
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