We haven’t heard much about plans for the proposed North Bali airport in awhile, but like it or not, that doesn’t mean Bali’s governor has forgotten.
This is all part of the government’s vision to pump up tourist arrivals and “tap into” the rest of Bali’s potential since most people stay South, near Ngurah Rai Airport. Though adding an airport up in Buleleng could make North Bali more accessible, what many people are wondering is whether this would make the North over-commercialized like some places on the mainstream tourist circuit (ahem, Kuta).
Governor Made Mangku Pastika says one serious investor, Airport Kinesis Canada (AKC) has already been hooked. He said the only thing holding AKC back is that they have to wait for a recommendation from Bali Province and Buleleng Regency, as a requirement from the Minister of Transportation.
Hopefully the recommendation will be issued this week, Pastika told Tribun Bali on Thursday, adding that another study will have to be done following the pre-feasibility study.
This is not a cheap project, as the governor says the minimum budget for the airport’s construction has been set at Rp 30 trillion—which is why Bali is depending on the central government as well as private investors for help.
