Bali Airport has launched ‘Project Optimization’ to help increase the facility’s capacity and improve the tourist experience.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is the only airport in Bali Province and is set to see its busiest year ever in 2024.
The General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I Ngurah Rai International Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, has spoken to reporters about the project. He confirmed that the mission is to increase airport capacity so that Indonesia’s flagship airport can support 32 million annual passengers in the coming years. Currently, the airport is capable of supporting 24 million travelers a year.
According to Heryudhitiawan, 32 million passengers annually is the maximum capacity the airport will be able to support with its current infrastructure in place.
The first phase of the project will add new areas to both the international and domestic terminals. This will conclude with a new X-ray area, departure area, and passenger lounge. It is set to be completed in 2024.
Then, in 2025, Project Optimization will focus on increasing capacity in five more areas of the international terminal building. Heryudhitiawan said, “There are about four or five more [areas of development] that would increase the airport’s capacity to 32 million people. We calculate the amount of capacity that will survive approximately until 2031 or 2032.”
With I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on track to be able to serve 32 million passengers annually, questions then move to the development of North Bali International Airport.
Plans for the new airport, which would be constructed on reclaimed offshore land off Kubutambahan in Buleleng Regency, position the North Bali Airport a 40-minute drive from Lovina and a scenic 90-minute drive from Amed.
The mission of the North Bali Airport is to help increase the capacity of Bali as a tourism destination, though many fear that the development of a second international airport would tip Bali firmly into the negative realms of overtourism.
What is most pertinent about the development of North Bali Airport is that it would have a far greater annual passenger capacity than I Gusti Ngurah Rai International, even after Project Optimisation is complete.
North Bali Airport is set to serve 50 million passengers a year at its full capacity. If both airports were operating at full capacity year-round, Bali Province would be capable of serving 82 million passengers annually by air alone.
According to BIBU Panji Sakti, the company behind the North Bali International Airport project, “The airport is about 600 ha, eight masl, equipped with two parallel runways, parallel taxiway, modern passenger terminal building, general aviation terminal, cargo terminal and of course ATC Control Tower.”
The development would see the creation of not only an international airport, but an Aerocity too, and supporting industrial infrastructure.
BIBU Panji Sakti has communicated, “To complement the airport’s operations, Aerocity is planned to be built. The location of Aerocity 1 is on the west side of the airport with an area of 100 Ha, while Aerocity 2 is on the east side of the airport with an area of 200 Ha.”
This conversation is timely as I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is on track to smash tourism targets and observe its busiest year on record.
Travel data and official figures shared in recent days show that between January and June 2024, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport served 11 million passengers, making the transportation hub one of the busiest airports in Indonesia.
The data shows that June 2024 was the busiest month of the year so far, with the airport serving 2,075,255 domestic and international passengers on 11,575 flights.
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Shorty
Friday 19th of July 2024
A simple suggestion. The numbers and times of both incoming and departing passengers are well known and documented. Roster staff to meet that demand.
Clive Lindley
Thursday 18th of July 2024
My experience of the Airport has been very good. Doing everything online before arrival made a big difference. I would prefer to see improvements made to roads, traffic, pavements and safe crossing places on roads in key tourist areas. Also more focus on keeping everywhere free from litter which really seems a big problem here. Let's make Bali as clean as New Zealand.Otherwise a wonderful place with wonderful people and a beautiful culture.
Exp
Friday 19th of July 2024
@Clive Lindley, "Let’s make Bali as clean as New Zealand." I spat out my coffee here!
Try visit outside tourist zones, e.g. central Denpasar. Just have a look behind one of the better malls (Level 21) and you may see this:
LINK
Shorty
Thursday 18th of July 2024
The proposed north Bali Airport is 600 hectares and to be built on reclaimed land.
The amount of fill required would be mind blowing. Allow for example 20 metres to get above water level and be stable enough to support the structures.
That's 12,000,000 cubic metres!
Even if you got trucks carrying 20 metres and the roads could handle them it's 600,000 loads!
It would have to be supplemented by dredging. But from where? Has there been any study of th volume needed and the impact?
BaliEyeWitness...
Thursday 18th of July 2024
It would be more effective to improve the experience of visitors to spend money on the appalling state of the roads in Bali. Most are extremely dangerous full of large potholes which can't be seen when they're full of rain and in dreadful condition.
Mr Bear Snr
Wednesday 17th of July 2024
Get rid of the inbound Duty Free shop. Its cheaper at Grand Lucky and Trans Studio