PT BIBU Panji Sakti, the project manager of the North Bali Airport development, has officially launched the design for the long-planned international airport in Buleleng Regency.
The design, presented on Wednesday (24 September 2025) at the company’s office in Kubutambahan, was created by architectural firm Alien Design Consultant (DC) and draws heavily on Balinese mythology.
The terminal concept is inspired by Bedawang Nala, the cosmic tortoise that supports Bhurloka (the human realm), tightly encircled by two guardian dragons, Naga Basuki and Naga Anantabhoga.
This mythological figure is deeply rooted in Balinese beliefs about the forces that cause earthquakes and the balance of natural elements. The airport design reflects these ideas through organic curves, shell-like geometric patterns, and interior details echoing the texture of a tortoise’s back.
Alien DC’s chief executive, Hardyanthony Wiratama, explained that the design was not only about creating a modern airport but also about embedding Balinese values into its very structure.
“We want this airport to be not only a modern gateway connecting Bali to the world, but also a space that lives and breathes with the Balinese spirit,” he said, as quoted from DetikBali.
According to academic studies cited in the presentation, Bedawang Nala is not merely decorative. In Balinese architecture, it symbolises the earth’s magma, whose potential to trigger earthquakes is restrained by the protective forces of the two dragons.
It is also understood as a reminder of ecological balance, incorporating the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana harmony with God, nature, and humanity. This principle will be expressed in the airport’s spatial planning, green open spaces, and integration with surrounding landscapes.
Modern Facilities and Sustainable Focus
The terminal is designed with capacity for 30 million passengers annually, including 24 million international travellers and six million domestic. Thirty-two boarding bridges will serve passenger operations.
The layout includes two principal areas: a multimodal transit hub integrating rail and bus rapid transit with commercial and retail zones, and the terminal itself, dedicated to airside operations.
The masterplan also provides for environmentally friendly transport lanes, including facilities for electric vehicles, and positions the airport as the nucleus of a wider “aerotropolis”.
This future development plan envisions an aerocity with a business district, hospitality areas, forest park, and education and cultural centres.
A defining feature will be the natah or inner court, a central indoor garden drawing from Balinese residential tradition. This space will act as a cultural and social hub within the terminal, with room for public gatherings and performances.
The design integrates natural air circulation, renewable energy systems, and landscaped spaces blending mountain and sea views from Buleleng.
Government Position and Location Issues
Despite the unveiling of the design, the project faces questions about its precise location. The Directorate General of Air Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation has confirmed support for the North Bali Airport but insists that all requirements must be fully met, from technical and administrative approvals to environmental standards.
Director General Lukman F. Laisa said the land requirement calculations are still awaiting confirmation of the provincial spatial planning (RT/RW). He pointed to Bali Governor’s Letter No. 553.2/7822/DISHUB dated 19 November 2020, which cancelled the proposed Kubutambahan site and suggested a new location in Sumberklampok Village.
“The government fully supports the development of North Bali Airport, but all requirements must be met to ensure its implementation is in accordance with applicable regulations,” he said, as reported by Beritasatu.
Lukman also noted that any use of land within the West Bali National Park requires a formal decision from the Minister of Forestry. Should the final location fall outside Sumberklampok, the Bali Provincial Government will be required to submit a fresh proposal.
He stressed that the Directorate General will continue monitoring to ensure the project complies with the “3S+1C” principle: safety, security, services, and compliance.
“We will continue to monitor every stage of development to ensure that it is transparent, complies with regulations, and is oriented towards aviation safety,” he added.
