The long-delayed project of building a second airport in Bali is reportedly being revived under the administration of the newly elected President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.
A politician from the ruling party, Gerindra, who wished to remain anonymous, reported to the Singaporean English-language daily The Straits Times on Monday, 21st of October, that Subianto is keen on reviving the project.
“Mr. Prabowo wants this project supported,” said the anonymous source.
Subianto’s administration is reportedly aiming to build the second airport in the northern part of Bali, specifically in the Kubutambahan district in Buleleng regency. By adding another airport on the Island of the Gods, the government hopes to ease air traffic congestion at the existing I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, located in Denpasar. Furthermore, the presence of another airport may help alleviate overcrowding issues around the island’s popular tourist hotspots in southern Bali, such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.
Plans for the second airport in Bali were initially made in 2020 under a non-binding agreement, where China Construction First Group was set to finance and build the airport at an estimated cost of Rp50 trillion, in partnership with Jakarta-based Bibu Panji Sakti. The project, however, was halted due to opposition from Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was chairwoman of the then-ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
Meanwhile, Bali gubernatorial candidate Made Muliawan Arya, also known by his nickname ‘De Gadjah,’ recently told the press that Subianto is planning to visit Bali in early November. The purpose of the visit remains unclear, though De Gadjah believes it reflects Subianto’s care for Bali and support for Gerindra cadres contesting in the 2024 Regional Election in the province.
“We do not know whether [Prabowo Subianto’s] visit to Bali is as the General Chair of the Gerindra Party or the President. What is clear, though, is that this is his first visit after taking office,” said De Gadjah.