Bali's Airport Is Getting a Major Upgrade: What You Need to Know
In 2025, Bali welcomed over 7 million international visitors, and looking ahead, there are plans for much more. The Indonesian Ministry of Transport has confirmed plans to expand Bali’s currently only airport, Ngurah Rai International Airport, as well as build a new one in North Bali.
Bali is preparing for a major aviation transformation. With development plans in both the north and the south, the island is entering a new phase of connectivity and growth.
The numbers are quite ambitious, as Ngurah Rai is already currently handling around 24 million passengers every year. The government wants to push that to 32 million within three to four years, 42 million shortly after to ultimately 55 million once the full expansion is completed. As the Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa stated, ‘like it or not, in the next three to four years, Bali will reach 32 million passengers.’ To put this in perspective, Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta went from 56 million to 96 million passengers after being revitalized, and it is hoped that Bali will follow the same success story.
Two Airport Developments
As some may already be aware, President Prabowo began his campaign in full support of building an airport in northern Bali, meaning that the renovations in the south will be part of a two-pronged approach to improve the island’s capacity and connectivity.
In the south, Ngurah Rai is set for a major revitalization backed by a sizable government investment. Exact details about the upgrades haven’t been publicly confirmed yet, but officials have stated that both the terminal complex and surrounding road infrastructure will need to be overhauled to support the anticipated jump in passenger numbers. The road network in South Bali is already one of the biggest constraints on the airport's ability to grow and a big part of why the government is also looking to northern Bali.
A new international airport is planned in North Bali, bringing long-term expansion beyond the crowded south. This marks a significant shift in Bali’s development strategy.
When it comes to the north, President Prabowo Subianto has committed to building North Bali International Airport (BIBU - Bandara Internasional Bali Utara) in the Buleleng Regency, roughly 90 kilometers from Denpasar. His bold vision made a splash following his election after he declared that Bali would be ‘the new Singapore, the new Hong Kong - the center of this region.’
The airport is set to be built on reclaimed land along Bali's northern coastline by PT BIBU Panji Sakti alongside international partners, with a budget of IDR 50 trillion (approximately USD 3 billion) and a first operational phase targeted for 2027–2028. Once fully operational, it should be able to handle 50 million passengers, which is more than double what Ngurah Rai manages today. The design was unveiled in 2025 and weaves in the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana - harmony between humans, nature and the divine.
So far the project has faced delays, but the current political commitment behind it is stronger than it has been in years, and land acquisition is now actively in progress.
What It Means for You
For business owners, this represents good news as a higher number of arrivals and routes equates to a greater customer base. The government's ambition to position Bali as a regional hub signals a push well beyond leisure tourism, which is promising for those in hospitality, retail and professional services.
If you’re a property investor, areas like Lovina and Singaraja in North Bali might warrant more attention. Previously, investments in northern Bali haven’t seen the same growth as in the south, but with the introduction of a new airport, this may be set to change in the coming years.
When it comes to residents and expats of Bali, the airport expansion plans should result in greater connectivity and better fares as competition increases. Nevertheless, in the short term, more time may be needed to get to and from the airport as increased construction adds pressure to roads that are already very busy.
Bali’s Next Chapter
The combination of a revitalized southern airport and a new northern hub represents one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades in Bali’s history.
Bali is positioning itself as a genuine regional aviation hub, and the infrastructure investment to back that up is now firmly underway. The combination of a revitalized Ngurah Rai and a new international airport in the north represents the most significant transformation of the island's connectivity in a long time. Whether you're running a business, buying property or simply planning your next few years on the island, this is a development worth paying attention to.
If you want to understand how Bali's growth could affect your business setup, visa or investment strategy then don’t hesitate to contact us at Bali Solve either by dropping by our office in Pererenan or reaching out via WhatsApp - we're here to help you stay ahead of the curve and set you up for success from day one.
Written by Bali Solve Team
09 March 2026
