The design for the future North Bali Airport was officially unveiled on Wednesday, the 24th of September, marking a new chapter in the project, which is expected to balance development between South and North Bali.
“This has been a 10-year struggle, from the Minister of Transportation to the MoU with China. Bali is ready to be ‘balanced‘ in the North for the Archipelago,” said Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, President Director of PT BIBU Panji Sakti. Hariwibowo’s company is the project holder for the North Bali Airport development.
The North Bali Airport is planned to be built in Kubutambahan, Buleleng, near Lovina Beach and Mount Batur — approximately 75 kilometres from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. The design will be carried out by Alien Design Consultant (Alien DC), led by Hardyantohony Wiratama. At the core of the concept, according to the designer, is “The Airport as a Living Turtle, One with Nature and Culture.” The architecture draws inspiration from Bedawang Nala, the Balinese cosmic turtle that upholds Bhurloka (the human realm), supported by the dragons Anantabhoga and Basuki.
“Bedawang Nala acts as a support, and the transit hub is like a protective shell,” Wiratama remarked.
source image – Wikipedia
The design features organic, turtle-shell-like curves, with a 3.6-kilometre runway set upon a 900-hectare artificial island created through erosion restoration rather than reclamation. The interior will include an inner court as a modern natah (central Balinese courtyard), an amphitheatre for the Kecak dance, and retail spaces adorned with traditional motifs. Local tropical materials such as wood and stone, complemented by geometric turtle patterns and natural lighting, will dominate the space.
The airport’s planned facilities will include 196 international check-in counters, 24 domestic check-in counters, and 32 aerobridges. It is projected to handle 24 million international and six million domestic passengers annually. The airport will also adopt energy-efficient principles, including the integration of electric vehicles, renewable energy, and sustainable water management.
Despite its ambitious design, the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation recently stressed the importance of meeting all requirements to ensure the project complies with regulations and aligns with sustainable development principles.
“Regarding land, the Bali Provincial Government is obliged to guarantee that the land to be used is not in dispute or used as collateral. The process of acquiring community land must be completed thoroughly to avoid delays in the location determination process,” said the Director General of Air Transportation at the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa, in an official statement on Sunday, 28th of September.
In response to suggestions that the airport’s location should be moved to West Bali National Park, the government clarified that any such change could only be made with a recommendation or decision from the Minister of Forestry.
“We will continue to carry out our oversight function to ensure that every stage of development complies with regulations, is transparent, and prioritises aviation safety,” emphasised Lukman.