North Bali Airport, A Bold Step Toward Balanced Development on the Island

IMG Credit: CGarchitects.com

For years, the idea of building a second international airport in Bali has lingered as little more than a dream. But in 2025, that long-standing vision is finally taking shape. The long-anticipated North Bali International Airport project has taken a major step forward, signalling a bold new phase of development that could rebalance the island’s economic and tourism landscape.

As it stands today, the southern region of Bali—home to tourist hotspots like Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, and Nusa Dua—continues to bear the brunt of the island’s booming visitor numbers. In 2024 alone, Bali’s main airport welcomed more than 16.3 million tourists, comprisingover 10 million domestic tourist arrivals and 6.3 million international tourist arrivals. With most of these travellersfunnellinginto South Bali, infrastructure strain has become a daily challenge. Long traffic jams, overbooked hotels, and tourists missing flights have become increasingly common—an unsustainable scenario for an island that prides itself on world-class hospitality.

The confirmation of the Northern Bali Airport in Buleleng Regency has come as a breath of fresh air, and this time, there’s real momentum. The President Director of North Bali International Airport has officially confirmed that the development in Buleleng Regency will proceed after years of delay.The airport is designed to accommodate up to 32 million passengers annually, and funding has been locked in atIDR 50 trillion (approx. USD 3.09 billion), the North Bali Airport project will also include critical supporting infrastructure, such as Aerotropolis, Aerocity, and a new 60-kilometre toll road connecting Kubutambahan to Mengwi. Construction is set to begin this year, following final confirmation of the airport’s location and land acquisition. Once completed, the project is expected to generate more than 200,000 new jobs, cementing its role as a transformative force in Bali’s economic future. Thisisn’t just a construction update—it’s a national priority. The President of Indonesia has expressed his commitment to positioning the country as a leader in Southeast Asian development, ensuring Bali can compete with regional giants like Singapore and Hong Kong.

We see this development as a pivotal moment. “The northern region of Bali has long been overlooked, yet it holds so much natural beauty and investment potential,” says Chad Egan, Director of GPFG. “With the tourism arrival numbers increasing every year, the new airport will open the doors for more travellers to discover the majestic landscapes and quieter charm of North Bali.”

More than just an infrastructure project, the Northern Bali Airport represents an opportunity to rebalance the island’s economy, encourage more equitable development, and unlock new real estate and tourism potential in lesser-known regions.

For more information on Bali developments, please contact our team.