New Helicopter Regulations To Be Introduced In Bali For Tourist Safety

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In July, Bali saw not one but two helicopters become seriously tangled in kite strings during scenic tourist flights over the island.

One helicopter crash landed close to Suluban Beach, and while there were no reported injuries, the situation could easily have ended in tragedy.

Indonesia’s Tourism Minister has confirmed he will create new regulations to protect tourists and ensure the safe conservation of the Balinese kite-flying culture.

Kite flying is a much-loved and deeply cultural pastime in Bali and across Indonesia, more broadly, that has been part of local life for centuries.

Many cultural leaders in Bali have expressed their concerns that following the two helicopter entanglements; political leaders may move to prioritize newly introduced helicopter tourism flights over the ancient cultural practice. 

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Minister Sandiaga Uno, the Tourism and Creative Economies Minister for Indonesia, has been in Bali this week to discuss the future of tourism in the province.

He has responded directly to the recent helicopter incidents and is willing to create a solution that benefits everyone, stressing that preserving local culture must be at the heart of the decision-making process. 

Minister Uno said, “We have to follow the latest trends, adapt, and later, we will make adjustments so as not to disturb the culture of the Balinese people or the hobbies of many residents.”

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He added “We will coordinate which areas can be spots using helicopter tours that have a lot of interest.”

“We have a kite festival that we also support, we will arrange it later as in Wonosobo [Central Java] with its hot air balloon which had interfered with the flight, and later we will arrange it with friends of the Ministry of Transportation.”

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He noted that the popularity and frequency of tourist helicopter flights has increased since the end of the pandemic, with flights taking off multiple times a day from the heart of the Bukit Peninsula to conduct coastal tours around the peninsula, across the southern coast toward Tanah Lot Temple and inland as far as Ubud, Mount Batur and Mount Agung. 

Minister Uno said, “With the latest arrangements and assistance from the Ministry of Transportation, as well as from other stakeholders, we can map it out so that there are no more kite incidents that intersect with heli tourism activities.”

Existing laws stipulate where and how local communities can fly their kits. This legislation has been in place for years and was designed to help ensure safety for the public and aircraft around I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and other civil airports in Bali.

However, Civil Service Police Officers have spoken to reporters about their struggle to enforce these laws, noting that many local people have not been taking warnings about the risks posed by high-flying kites seriously. 

Minister Uno’s comments this week may have quelled tensions that have been simmering in the background.

Keen to ensure a win-win situation for all, Minister Uno has pledged that there will be a way to ensure cultural practices are upheld and that helicopter tour operators can continue with their services. However, some have called for helicopter tours to be minimized or even banned.

Ex-Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, spoke to the media last week about his thoughts on helicopter tours and the culture of kite flying on the island. He, too, feels that there can be a win-win scenario for all here. 

He said “It’s not that kites are prohibited, but it regulates where it’s allowed and what’s not. In fact, there is already a regional regulation where kites are not permitted. The regional regulation already exists, you just have to implement it consistently.”

He added, “Helicopter operations must also be clear. Distinguish between national interests and tourism. For tourism, determine where they are not allowed to fly. If they [honor the law], there is no way they will get hit by the flying [kite] line.”