It has been only a month since the new government came into power in Indonesia, and it is clear that it is full steam ahead with the highly contentious North Bali International Airport project.
The initiative has been on and off the table for years, but it is clear that President Prabowo Subianto will stay true to his election promise of bringing this project to life.
PT BIBU Panji Sakti is the company behind the project. The company has been chipping away at the development for years with security funding and land acquisition stalling progress time after time.
In recent weeks, things have moved at a lightning pace; a funding agreement has been secured between PT BIBU Panji Sakti and ChangYe Construction Group from China to develop the North Bali International Airport.
This collaboration was locked in with the signing of an MoU at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing on 8th November 2024.
Chang Ye Construction Group will invest USD 3 billion to support this project, which will span over 2,800 hectares of land and reclaimed land in Buleleng Regency.
The President Director of PT BIBU Panji Sakti, Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, has revealed more details about the North Bali Airport Project, including details regarding the ‘aerotropolis’ a new city that will be built around the airport on community-owned land.
According to Hariwibowo, the land use has been approved by thirteen traditional village leaders in the Kubutambahan area.
He was clear that PT BIBU Panji Sakti would not buy community land but would collaborate with the profit-sharing system. He noted, “What does it mean? This is a new concept of cooperation. The land is not lost, the [ownership] certificate is still theirs.”
The aerotropolis will be a new city featuring housing in the first phase, followed by the development of schools, hospitals and other city-infrastructure.
Hariwibowo was also clear that the development would not impact sacred sites or sacred landscapes on the island of Bali. He reaffirmed the mission to build a runway on reclaimed land offshore from Buleleng Regency.
He explained, “Well, for the airport, it can’t be on the ground. How can we make a 3 km straight runway and not hit the temple? In Bali, it is not possible. That’s why we made the airport on the sea, but the supporting city on the sea.”
Hariwibowo shared his hopes that the first stone laying or groundbreaking for the construction of North Bali Airport will be carried out this year.
This will be completed in order to pursue a completion target date of 2027.
North Bali International Airport is set to be able to serve 32 million passengers in its first phase of development, which the new President, Prabowo Subianto, says will put Bali’s airports on par with Hong Kong and Singapore.
Hariwibowo and his teams are working around the clock to keep this momentum up.
He told reporters this week, “That’s why, if possible this month, November groundbreaking [will happen]. It’s just that now he [Prabowo] is still on an official trip; he will just come back on the 22nd. I said, try to find a day or two for him to go to Bali for the groundbreaking.”
As leaders continue to look ahead to the development of a second international airport in Bali, back at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International, teams are preparing for the busiest time of year.
The General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, has spoken to reporters about how he and his teams are getting ready for the Christmas and New Year surge of travelers.
He shared, “Our Nataru preparation has eight main programs. The first is coordination with related agencies. “
“We have held meetings with various stakeholders almost 3 to 4 times, including the Kapolres, Danlanud, and Kapolda [police forces] and other agencies.”
He added, “We want to ensure that the homecoming and return flows run smoothly so that tourists and residents who travel can enjoy the holiday calmly and safely.”
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Steve bm
Friday 22nd of November 2024
This airport will be a massive flop
Satyagra
Tuesday 26th of November 2024
What about rising sea levels which are happening as we speak to pacific islands. He runway out to sea will be underwater when this happens It's only a matter of time until it happens here
Shorty
Thursday 21st of November 2024
Could we see some numbers?
3km long by ?km wide by ? average depth for both a parallel or perpendicular runway.
How many cubic metres of fill and from where.
How many lineal metres and volume of retaining wall. How much concrete and rock - from where.
It will need a huge ongoing supply of fresh water for the cement and concrete - from where.
A shitty question. There'll be hundreds of workers. How many WCs, pollution septics, cans, will be needed.
Where will they live.
There's the concomitant supplies like cable, drainage pies and a huge amount of essential material. Where do you store them and the necessary machinery?
I could keep going on, but it's pointless.
Shorty
Sunday 24th of November 2024
@Exp, If and when it ever happens.
Exp
Friday 22nd of November 2024
@Shorty, "There’ll be hundreds of workers." Try tens of thousands, many from China.
Shorty
Thursday 21st of November 2024
At 3km long it won't matter which way they orientate it - parallel or perpendicular the the coast.
It will have an enormous effect on on the currents, tidal action, the reef(s), marine life, lagoon....
I hope, but doubt, they've done or will do a comprehensive environment impact study.
Josh
Thursday 21st of November 2024
Seeing is believing.
Michael
Thursday 21st of November 2024
You destroy the Island of the Gods systematically