North Bali International Airport has gained fresh momentum after President Prabowo Subianto personally ordered officials to accelerate the long-awaited project. The directive signals that one of Indonesia’s most anticipated infrastructure developments is moving into a more active phase.
The update was confirmed by Chief of the Presidential Staff Office, retired General Dudung Abdurachman. He said President Prabowo issued direct instructions to move forward with the national strategic project after receiving support from Bali’s traditional royal leaders.
Dudung shared the announcement during a meeting with royal leaders from across Bali and representatives of PT BIBU Panji Sakti at Puri Ageng Buahbatuh in Gianyar, Bali, on Wednesday.
According to Dudung, the President responded only days after the Balinese royal leaders met with him and publicly expressed their support for the airport.
“Thank God, just a few days after the Balinese royal leaders met with me at my office and publicly expressed their support through the media, President Prabowo responded immediately,” Dudung said.
The President then wasted no time in taking action.
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Dudung explained that President Prabowo contacted Aries Marsudiyanto, Head of the Agency for Development Control and Special Investigation (Bappisus), to ensure the airport project would move forward without delay.
“The President then contacted Mr. Aries Marsudiyanto, the Head of Bappisus. He later called me to follow up on the North Bali Airport development plan,” Dudung explained.
The instruction was quickly followed by plans for a high-level coordination meeting in Jakarta.
Dudung is scheduled to meet Bali Governor Wayan Koster, Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo, and Bappisus Head Aries Marsudiyanto on Thursday (July 30) at 9:00 a.m. WITA.
The meeting represents the government’s first major follow-up after receiving the President’s directive. Its main objective is to coordinate the next steps and speed up the airport’s implementation.
Dudung expressed optimism that the process would move forward smoothly so construction could begin as soon as possible.
“On Thursday at 9:00 a.m. WITA, I will meet with the Governor of Bali, the Minister of Public Works, and the Head of Bappisus. Hopefully, the President’s instructions can be carried out successfully,” he said.
Beyond improving transportation, the North Bali International Airport is expected to play a much bigger role in Bali’s future development.
For years, economic activity, tourism, and infrastructure investment have been concentrated in South Bali. The new airport is designed to help create a better balance by encouraging growth in the northern part of the island.
The project is expected to become a catalyst for more even economic development while opening new opportunities for businesses, tourism, and local communities in North Bali.
The airport has already been included in Indonesia’s 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), prepared by the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas).
Its legal basis was further strengthened through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 12 of 2025, which President Prabowo Subianto signed on February 10, 2025.
The regulation itself followed a commitment the President had made several months earlier.
On November 3, 2024, while visiting Sanur, Bali, President Prabowo publicly pledged to develop the North Bali International Airport. With direct presidential instructions now issued and coordination meetings underway, the project appears to be entering a more concrete stage of implementation.
