Despite skepticism from some Bali expats, the new airport in the north of the island seems to be happening. And quite soon.
The President of Indonesia has included it in the list of priority national projects for 2025–2029. Along with the airport, it features the Bali metro and several major highways that are expected to facilitate movement between different areas of Bali.
All this was formalized by Prabowo Subianto in a special Presidential Decree No. 12 of 2025. Essentially, it is Indonesia's development program for the next four years. The province of Bali is given considerable attention in this program. If the planned projects are implemented, the island will change significantly.
Previously, one of the most influential politicians in Indonesia, the chair of the PDIP, Megawati Sukarnoputri, opposed the airport in northern Bali, calling it 'unstrategic and wasteful.' However, after the airport was included in the national projects list, she demanded 'first to complete infrastructure,' including transport and logistics.
Moreover, Bali's authorities must negotiate with airlines to ensure sufficient flight occupancy.
‘If, for instance, a flight from Jakarta to Buleleng is 80% full, but the return is empty, airlines will withdraw. Then we will be forced to compensate for the losses — this is unacceptable,’ noted the Deputy Vice Governor of Bali, I Nyoman Giri Prasta.
The General Director of the contracting company, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, stated that all preparatory work, including technical and financial aspects, is complete. The company plans to start construction in mid-2025, with the first runway to be completed by the end of 2027.
The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, stated that the new airport will accelerate the development of the northern and western regions, which have long lagged behind the south.
‘This airport is not only for tourism but also for the economic growth of northern Bali. Now this region will receive due attention,’ he emphasized.
In addition to the airport, the president's list of national projects in Bali includes:
- Construction of the toll road Gilimanuk — Mengwi. The route, 96.84 kilometers long, will cost approximately 25 trillion rupiah. It is expected to significantly speed up traffic between the islands of Java and Bali. Currently, the main road to Gilimanuk port has the standard Balinese format — it is significantly narrower than desired, and many sections have traffic jams due to buses and slow trucks.
- Development of the Ulapan tourist zone. It includes Ubud, Tegallalang, and Payangan. In December 2024, the Ulapan Mobility Plan (UMP) project, developed by the French company Egis with the support of the Indonesia-Australia Infrastructure Partnership (KIAT), was completed. Its aim is to introduce electric bus routes within Ulapan and connect them to Ngurah Rai Airport. A ring road is also planned to make the area more attractive to tourists.
- Opening of the Bali Cultural Center in Klungkung. Bali's Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that the project, to be known as the Bali Cultural Center, is planned in the village of Gunaksa. The construction will be financed through an interest-free loan from the Indonesian government as part of the National Program for Economic Recovery. 1.2 trillion Indonesian rupiahs and 326 hectares of land have been allocated for the construction.
- Creation of the 'Shini' rural tourism cluster in Tabanan. This picturesque location is known for its rice terraces, traditional Balinese culture, and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for ecotourism and relaxing away from busy resorts. Here you can see the authentic way of life of Balinese people, temples, and artisan workshops. Walks in the area with views of Mount Batukaru are popular.
- Construction of the 'Singapadu — Kintamani — Northern Bali Airport' highway. It will be part of the infrastructure that will appear in the north along with the new airport.
The island's authorities confirmed that a number of projects in the province are included in the national development list, but coordination between local authorities and ministries has yet to begin.
‘There has been no agreement on this matter yet. The technical team will handle this. We, as those responsible for policy, will act within the framework of the governor's and vice-governor's decisions,’ stated Bali's vice-governor Giri.
You can add one right now!