The new North Bali Airport is set to change the face of Bali travel forever. Elements of the new airport could be operational as early as 2028, and the project is one of the most anticipated developments the province has ever seen.
The new North Bali International Airport will be able to serve upwards of 24 million international passengers per year, with a capacity to accommodate a further 6 million domestic travelers. Much like Singapore Changi Airport, North Bali International will be designed to become a destination in its own right, as well as a central hub for international travel.
The vision is not only to create a second international airport to serve Bali as a travel and business destination, but also to transform the province into a world-class travel transit hub. In fact, the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has made his vision for the project very clear indeed.
Speaking to the public shortly after his inauguration in 2024, President Subianto reiterated his campaign promise to bring the long-postponed project to life. He told Bali-based supporters, “North Bali Airport, as I have conveyed, I am committed, I want to build North Bali International Airport.” Adding “We will make Bali make the new Singapore, the new Hong Kong, where we will be the center of this region.”
It has now been confirmed that the North Bali International Airport will be developed in a collaborative partnership between PT BIBU Panji Sakti and Alien Design Consultant. The project will be mostly funded privately, though it is listed on the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) as one of the national priority projects. The development was taken off the RPJMN by the previous president, Joko Widodo.
While the influence the airport will have on Bali travel is undeniable, the design of the airport and the space it will take up will change the face of Bali forever. The airport is being described by the design team as an ‘ARTPORT’, and there is a strong focus on preserving and promoting Balinese culture, philosophy, and building principles throughout the mega-structure.
Alien Design Consultant has shared “North Bali International Airport is designed to be a symbol of sustainable development. Integration of public transportation, support for electric vehicles, and green open spaces in and around the terminal are key focuses. The design also reinforces the concept of placemaking: presenting spaces that are not only functional but also reflect Bali’s identity as a cultural gateway.”
The design team has revealed that “in terms of layout, the airport is divided into two major sections: the Transit Hub and the Airport Terminal. The Transit Hub serves as the hub for connectivity with trains, the BRT, and eco-friendly drop-offs. Meanwhile, the Terminal serves as the heart of flight activity.”
“The two are connected in a flowing whole, making the airport not just a transit point but also a hub of economic and social activity for North Bali.”
Alien has shared “Through this design, PT BIBU Panji Sakti and Alien Design Consultant aim to present a Balinese image rooted in local wisdom yet ready to embrace the future. Every element, from the waiting area and baggage claim to the retail court, is designed to provide a Balinese cultural experience from the moment passengers enter the terminal.”
While no specific deadline date has been set for the airport, and the ceremony to lay the first stone has not yet been held, officials from PT BIBU Panji Sakti have revealed that elements of the airport could be operational as early as 2028.
In August, the CEO of PT BIBU Panji Sakti, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko, revealed some exclusive details about the project timeline. He told reporters, “Investors are ready. We have signed an MoU with investors. We have proposed the Location Determination. We are targeting the first runway, from the two runways that we planned, to operate in 2028.”
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