In a dramatic move, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has revived the long-debated plan to build an international airport in North Bali, pitching it as the launchpad for Bali’s transformation into the “new Hong Kong.”
Announced on a recent visit to Denpasar, his ambitious vision aims to reroute the flow of tourism and alleviate Bali’s notorious traffic woes by opening up the island’s lesser-known northern regions.
Prabowo’s North Bali International Airport proposal has endured a turbulent history, consistently stirred by passionate debate. Originally introduced over a decade ago, the project was shelved in 2022 by former President Joko Widodo and faced staunch opposition from influential figures like former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who argued the development would strain local resources while primarily benefiting foreign investors.
Still, Prabowo’s pledge to Buleleng Regency—where the airport would be located—during his election campaign now forms a cornerstone of his administration’s plans.
“This isn’t just an airport,” Prabowo asserted at a press conference, “It’s a vision for a prosperous Bali—one that thrives on accessibility, equity, and an expanded economy.” He invoked images of regional powerhouses like Hong Kong and Singapore, calling on Bali’s leaders to “think big” and embrace the opportunity to diversify tourism beyond the crowded southern hubs of Kuta and Seminyak.
Addressing Bali’s Bottleneck: A Solution to Southern Overcrowding
Tourism officials and advocates in Bali are cautiously optimistic, noting that Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali’s only current gateway, has reached its capacity, surrounded by popular tourist zones and congested roadways.
By providing a new entry point for international tourists in the north, Prabowo hopes to relieve the pressure on the south’s infrastructure and spread economic growth more evenly across the island.
“We’re seeing congestion worsen by the day, and roads can no longer be expanded,” said Tjok Bagus Pemayun, head of Bali’s Tourism Office. “A northern airport would serve as a much-needed alternative, especially with tourists increasingly prioritizing convenience.”
Pemayun underscored that the North Bali Airport would “have a multiplier effect,” redistributing tourism-related economic benefits to less developed parts of Bali while avoiding the overtourism that has marred the south.
Stumbling Blocks and Strategic Considerations
The airport proposal, however, isn’t without its critics.
Detractors, including the Bali Tourism Board (BTB) and former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, argue that focusing on North Bali’s infrastructure—particularly by improving roads and other transit options—might be a more cost-effective solution. Megawati previously suggested that expanding the runway at Ngurah Rai could address tourism demands without the steep price tag of a new airport, emphasizing that funds might be better allocated to local improvements rather than large-scale developments aimed primarily at attracting international visitors.
Funding and land acquisition also remain significant obstacles. According to the local news outlet Bisnis, the project’s estimated budget stands at a daunting 17 trillion rupiah (roughly USD 1.07 billion), with private investors like PT Bandara Internasional Bali Utara expressing interest but yet to secure a final commitment.
Nonetheless, Prabowo’s administration has doubled down on its dedication, with recent endorsements from Prabowo-backed candidates in the upcoming regional elections further rallying support.
High-Stakes Gamble or Tourism Game-Changer?
Prabowo’s grandiose vision represents a bold gamble—one that seeks to establish North Bali as a bustling, sustainable destination with the infrastructure to support a growing tourism market while reducing the environmental and social pressures on South Bali.
For Prabowo, the North Bali International Airport is more than an infrastructure project; it’s a statement of Indonesia’s regional ambitions, and, if realized, it could see Bali standing shoulder to shoulder with Asia’s tourism giants.
Whether this ambitious project will soar or be grounded by local resistance and logistical hurdles remains to be seen. For now, Prabowo’s North Bali airport plan is back on the cards, with the president pressing forward to “prove to the doubters” that Bali, too, can rise as an economic powerhouse—an answer to both the island’s logistical logjam and Indonesia’s aspirations on the global stage.
