BULELENG, DEWATA.NEWS – Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has expressed support for the planned development of a new international airport in North Bali, confirming that the project has been included in the indicative list of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029 as part of a national strategic agenda.
The ministry said the proposed airport is intended to promote more balanced regional development while strengthening national connectivity, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s development vision. Studies by the Ministry of Transportation indicate that I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is expected to reach capacity limits by 2027 due to continued growth in passenger numbers.
Despite the support, the ministry emphasized that all stages of the project must strictly comply with existing regulations, particularly aviation safety standards and land legality requirements. The designation of the airport site is subject to a lengthy and dynamic process governed by Government Regulation No. 40 of 2012 and Ministerial Regulation No. 55 of 2023, which require an official location permit (Penlok) issued by the Minister of Transportation.
Initially, the airport was planned to be built in Kubutambahan Village, around 12 kilometers east of Singaraja. However, in November 2020, the Bali Provincial Government withdrew the proposal and submitted Sumberklampok Village in Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency, as an alternative location.
Sumberklampok is located approximately two hours from Singaraja and nearly four hours by road from Denpasar. The proposed site is adjacent to West Bali National Park and about 10 kilometers from Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana Regency. Due to these geographical conditions, access to the site is considered challenging and would require supporting infrastructure, including the Gilimanuk–Mengwi toll road, to ensure connectivity with southern and eastern Bali.
In line with the plan, the Bali Provincial Government is required to adjust its spatial planning regulations (RTRW) to match the technical land requirements calculated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa said the ministry adheres to the principle of 3S + 1C: Safety, Security, Services, and Compliance. He stressed that all aviation infrastructure must meet international safety standards and follow sustainable development principles.
“The development of a new airport in North Bali is a strategic step to support economic growth. The entire process must be carried out in an orderly, transparent manner and in accordance with legal provisions so it can be fully accountable,” Lukman said.
From a land management perspective, the ministry has asked the provincial government to ensure that all land designated for the airport is free from disputes and not used as collateral. Land acquisition must be completed comprehensively to provide legal certainty for both local communities and developers.
Given the site’s proximity to West Bali National Park, the use of land for the airport will also require formal approval from the Minister of Forestry.
The new airport in Buleleng is expected not only to increase tourist arrivals but also to serve as a backup facility for the increasingly congested I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. With careful planning, the Sumberklampok airport is projected to become a new economic driver for North Bali and surrounding regions.