Bali plans to develop an offshore airport in the northern part of the island with the name of Bandara International Bali Baru (BIBU) or the New Bali International Airport.
“There are so many obstacles to developing an onshore [airport], therefore we prefer to develop offshore,” said project developer PT BIBU president director I Made Mangku.
The initial plan of an onshore airport would have sacrificed a number of sites, including 33 Hindu temples, 121 historical sites, roads, residences and productive rice fields. Bali Governor Mangku Pastika has already prohibited the take over of any of these sites for the development of the new airport. It will now be located off the Beleleng regency.
The new airport development is aimed at promoting the many tourism spots in North Bali such as Tulamben, Nusa Penida and West Bali National Park as well as to open access to Banyuwangi in East Java and Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara.
New Bali International Aiport is designed to accommodate 32 million passengers annually, equipped with a 230,000-square-meter terminal and a 4,100 meter runway.
Source: Jakarta Post
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