Major investment secured for development
PT BIBU Panji Sakti, the company leading the project, has secured a significant investment of $3 billion from China’s ChangYe Construction Group. This collaboration was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing on November 8, 2024. This influx of capital is expected to accelerate the development of the airport, which will cover over 2,800 hectares of land, including reclaimed areas in Buleleng Regency.
Plans for a new aerotropolis city in Bali
In addition to the airport, there are ambitious plans to develop an aerotropolis—a metropolitan subregion designed around the airport’s layout, infrastructure, and economy. Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, the President Director of PT BIBU Panji Sakti, announced that the aerotropolis will include housing, schools, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure. The project has received approval from the leaders of thirteen traditional villages in the Kubutambahan area, highlighting a collaborative approach with local communities.
Hariwibowo emphasized that the company would not purchase community land outright but would instead implement a profit-sharing system. “This is a new concept of cooperation. The land remains theirs, and the ownership certificate is still in their name,” he explained. This approach aims to ensure that local residents benefit directly from the development while retaining ownership of their ancestral lands.
Environmental considerations and offshore runway
The airport’s design features a runway constructed on reclaimed land offshore from Buleleng Regency to address environmental and cultural concerns. Hariwibowo assured that the development would not affect any sacred sites or landscapes on the island. “We built the airport over the sea, but the supporting city is on land,” he stated. This innovative approach aims to minimize the ecological footprint while still achieving the project’s ambitious goals.
Project timeline and capacity of Bali’s new airport
The groundbreaking ceremony for the North Bali International Airport is expected to take place soon, with a target completion date set for 2027. Once operational, the airport is projected to accommodate 32 million passengers in its initial phase. This capacity aims to make Bali’s airports comparable to major international hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore, significantly enhancing the island’s accessibility and attractiveness to global travelers.
Implications for real estate investors
The development of the North Bali International Airport presents a unique opportunity for foreign investors interested in Bali real estate. This project is expected to stimulate economic growth in the northern region, resulting in increased demand for both residential and commercial properties. With plans to create a new city that will feature modern amenities, the area surrounding the airport could become a prime location for investment and tourism.
Property values in North Bali are likely to experience significant appreciation as infrastructure improvements and accessibility increase. Investors looking at Bali for holiday homes or real estate ventures should pay close attention to this project, as it has the potential to reshape the island’s property landscape in the coming years.
Current airport prepares for holiday surge
Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in South Bali is preparing for its busiest time of the year. The General Manager, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, announced that preparations are underway to accommodate the influx of travelers during the Christmas and New Year holidays. He stated, “We want to ensure that the homecoming and return flows run smoothly, allowing both tourists and residents to enjoy the holiday calmly and safely.”
This emphasis on improving the travel experience aligns with Bali’s broader efforts to accommodate growing tourism while awaiting the completion of the new airport in the northern region.
