The proposed new airport in the north of the island this week got the go-ahead from Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto, the national news agency Antara reported.
It can currently take five hours or more to drive from Denpasar to far northern regions of the island.
Co-ordinating minister for community empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar told the agency that the president has approved the development of North Bali International Airport (NBIA).
“We have received the president’s endorsements," he said. "We have readied the technical aspects, and we will strive to make North Bali International Airport a reality very soon.”
The airport is planned for the Kubutambahan area in Buleleng Regency district, in the east of northern Bali.
The previous administration of President Joko Widodo had previously postponed the project and excluded North Bali Airport from the list of national strategic projects last year.The reason given was the lack of adequate supporting infrastructure to sustain such a big project.
Iskandar said that a second airport is crucial for ensuring balanced regional development across Bali.
“If there is only one airport, access becomes limited. We need at least two airports,” he said.
The island’s second airport should effectively boost the economy of its surrounding regions. Hence, Bali will strengthen not only its tourism sector but also its overall economy, the president said.
The development of North Bali International Airport is part of the national Middle-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for the 2025-2029 term. It now has national priority status.
Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, president/director of the airport developer, PT BIBU Panji Sakti, said the project has progressed as planned and the company is awaiting the Transportation Ministry’s final decision on the airport location.
“We are optimistic and only need to wait a little longer, perhaps a few months. Everything has been ready. We are now waiting for the ground-breaking date,” he said.
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