Proposed new airport could transform tourism in Bali

The north of Bali remains largely undisturbed by the mass tourism that clogs the southern half of the Indonesian holiday island.

But that might be about to change with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 of the proposed North Bali International Airport.

NBIA will be Indonesia's second-largest airport. To be built on reclaimed sea land, it will comprise two parts: the Aerotropilis complex and the airport itself.

The latter will consist of a main terminal and three boarding satellites and will have two parallel runways, a heliport and a seaport. The site will also include a cargo terminal and maintenance area.

Indonesia’s Minister for State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, spoken to the media this week about how the plans for the major new international airport are rapidly coming together, the Bali Sun reported.

He is anticipating construction to start by 2027 as capacity at the current I Gusti Ngurah Rai International in the south of the island is close to being reached.

'There needs to be a plan to start construction in 2027," he said. "[We can’t] say, ‘oh, it’s still a long time until [we reach] 32 million.'

“[If] we just [begin thinking] to start construction in 2029, it would be too late.”

The Minister echoed President Prabowo Subianto’s comments that the airport would be on par with Hong Kong and Singapore in terms of modern facilities.

The complex will ultimately see a whole new city built at Kubutambahan,in Buleleng Regency, on the far north coast of Bali.

During its first phase of development, the North Bali International Airport will be able to support 32 million passengers annually, with a maximum capacity of over 50 million to be available by completion.

Image: The proposed North Bali International Airport: KUNKUN Visual.