Buleleng DPRD Speaker Cautions Against Investor Interests in North Bali Airport Plan

Buleleng Regional House of Representatives Speaker Ketut Ngurah Arya has requested that the North Bali Airport development plan be studied thoroughly. Arya warned that the discourse on the new airport should not be hijacked by investor interests. “The development should not have any strings attached or be hijacked by other investors’ interests to smooth over their own desires. Because building an airport requires very large investment and careful calculation,” Arya told detikBali on Monday. According to Arya, a large-scale infrastructure project like this must undergo comprehensive planning to avoid causing problems in the future. He cited the examples of Kertajati Airport and Yogyakarta International Airport, which he said suffered from low utilisation rates after being built. He stressed that the project must be supported by a needs assessment and aviation traffic potential study so it does not end up as a state debt burden. Arya also reminded that the airport development must not violate spatial planning regulations or ignore environmental aspects. He noted that Buleleng already has Regional Regulation No. 4 of 2024 on the Regional Spatial Plan, which serves as a reference for land use. He specifically pointed to the potential for coastal abrasion and ecosystem changes if the project requires beach reclamation. As an alternative to accelerate connectivity, Arya suggested optimising the existing Letkol Wisnu Airport in Gerokgak. Nonetheless, he stated his support if the North Bali Airport, a National Strategic Project, is ultimately realised in Buleleng.