The North Bali International Airport Project

Known as the “Island of Gods,” Bali is one of the most popular travel destinations for tourists - not just in Southeast Asia but the world. Last year (2024), over 16 million visitors made their way to Bali. The vast majority of them arrived at Bali's main gateway located in the southern part of the island - Denpasar I Ngurah Rai International Airport. However, the island's main air hub faces a familiar problem seen in other, older airports in the region – the lack of room for expansion. To address the growth of passenger traffic at Bali's airport, there is a proposal for a shift of development to the northern side of the island which will include a new airport – The North Bali International Airport.

New Airport in Buleleng

The southern part of the island is home to the attractions and much of the tourism infrastructure of Bali. Meanwhile, the northern side is not often traveled to by visitors. However, one company – PT BIBU Panji Sakti (PT BIBU) – is leading the project to develop the area. The centerpiece of the northern development will be the North Bali International Airport.

According to multiple reports, PT BIBU's plan for the The North Bali Airport will be located along the northern coast of the island in Buleleng Regency (Buleleng). Despite being both underdeveloped compared to, and isolated from Denpasar and the island's other tourist attractions, the area happens to be the biggest regency of Bali Island both in terms of population and area.

With a projected cost of around IDR 50 trillion (~USD $3 billion), the planned North Bali Airport complex will cover an area of around 500ha including an airport city along the coast of the town of Kubutambahan in Buleleng. So far artist depictions show different depictions of the passenger terminal, but plans are for the airport to have 2 runways – one 3600m for large aircraft and the other 1600m for private and turboprop aircraft. Along with the two runways, the airport will also feature a seaplane jetty. Connecting the airport to the rest of the island will be rail links along with new road developments. Once fully completed, the New Bali Airport will serve around 85,000 flights and around 50 million passengers annually.

The North Bali Airport project has been in discussion for over a decade, and while PT BIBU's plans have been reported there is no set location and project completion. Per Indonesian law, the Indonesian Transport Ministry has yet to finalize the site of the proposed airport project. Though the country's transport regulator did acknowledge the Bali provincial government submitted a proposal to designate the location for the airport.

As for the progress of the site determination and final approval for the project, Endah Purnamasari, Director General of Civil Aviation at Indonesia's Transport Ministry was quoted in a report by the Jakarta Globe on July 5, 2025 saying: “Until now, the proposed North Bali International Airport has no confirmed site, although the Bali provincial government has submitted a request as the initiator of the location determination.”

Leading up to the determination of the final location of the proposed airport, there are other requirements that PT BIBU – or whoever ends up building the airport project - must meet to start the construction of The North Bali Airport. These requirements include a feasibility study, review of the masterplan, as well as letters of recommendation from the provincial governor and local regents (mayors).

Endah emphasized that the project would have to follow the current regulatory process saying: “In conclusion, the site determination for the North Bali Airport has not yet been carried out. Whoever will eventually build the airport must follow the regulatory procedures in place.”

While awaiting the necessary approvals, PT BIBU's Chief Executive Officer  Erwanto Adiatmoko Hariwibowo has stated if the project can secure a permit, construction could start before year's end and the runway could be operational by 2027. The project could then be completed as early as 2030.

A Divided Opinion in Bali

Image: Denpasar I Ngurah Rai International Airport (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

In 2024, Denpasar's airport served around 16 million passengers – including over 6 million international and 10 million domestic visitors (Bali Central Bureau Statistics – BPS). Since being inaugurated for international air services in the 1960s, Denpasar not only facilitated access to the resort destination, but also has become the 2^ndbusiest airport in all of Indonesia behind Jakarta Soekarno Hatta International Airport. Despite being a single-runway facility, Denpasar has demonstrated its capability to handle some of the biggest aircraft in the world such as the Airbus A380. 

Now, the locals of Bali are facing the question of how to expand the capabilities of its main airport while addressing its limitations – or to proceed with the construction of a new airport. One major factor is the location of Denpasar's airport on a narrow area of land near the popular Kuta Beach and other developments, which limits further additions to the existing passenger terminal facilities. On both sides of the 3000m runway is water, so any extension of the runway will require land reclamation.

The new airport project is appealing for residents and officials, especially those in the northern part of Bali. Through the new airport project, local officials such as Made Sudirsa, the village chief of nearby Bulian in Buleleng see it - along with the airport city developments - as a much needed boost to the local economy in the regency.

“We have no youths left in our village, because everyone is looking for work in the south or overseas,” Sudirsa was quoted saying about the planned airport project in a report by Channel News Asia. “We hope these projects will boost our economy and create jobs.”

Another proponent of the New Bali Airport project is Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo who has been reported to have given approval for the project. Back in a report by Kompas in November 2024, President Prabowo saw Bali's future with the airport project to become similar to Singapore and Hong Kong. In a report on Kompas on November 3, 2024, President Prabowo was quoted saying: "I am committed to building a North Bali International Airport. We will turn Bali into the new Singapore, the new Hong Kong with the (new airport) area as its epicentre.”

While proponents highlight the economic benefits of the new airport project and the need to ease the pressure on Denpasar's airport, some have argued the need to preserve the island's environment. Another point of contention is the lack of adequate transportation, and the current travel time between Denpasar and the proposed airport in Buleleng.

The Provincial Governor of Bali Wayan Koster has also questioned the funding and the supporting infrastructure for the airport project, further stating PT BIBI has not made any contact with the provincial government about it. While stating his concerns, Governor Koster was quoted in a report by The Bali Sun on July 6 saying: “As for the discourse, it has been there for a long time. But if the central government really wants to build, of course, we will follow that policy. But what has not been clear yet is that the supporting facilities are not yet available.”

Denpasar Airport Remains Bali's Main Gateway

PT BIBI has high ambitions for what could be the second and possibly the future, preferred airport for travelers bound for Bali. There is a growing sense of urgency to address the limited space for expansion of Denpasar Airport, while also building a new airport complex with hopes to extend the economic benefits from the island's tourism industry beyond the southern part of the island.

Should Denpasar Airport remains open after the construction of the New Bali Airport, Bali could become another destination in Asia with a “dual airport system.” It would be a significant milestone for Bali and Indonesia, though there are valid concerns that have been raised from stakeholders.

Construction has not started, and PT BIBI will have to go through the processes as set by Indonesian laws for the work to begin. Another major issue that will need to be addressed for the airport to be successful would be for the development of transportation options between Denpasar and Buleleng, along with other parts of the island.

As the locals of Bali debate the future aviation infrastructure developments for the island , travelers from near and far continue to arrive. While waiting for the final decision on whether to proceed with the New Bali Airport and the start of its construction, Denpasar will continue to serve as the main gateway to Bali for the foreseeable future.  

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