What Is North Bali Airport? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
North Bali Airport (also called North Bali International Airport or NBIA) is a proposed second airport for the island of Bali, Indonesia. It is planned to be built in the Buleleng regency on Bali’s northern coast, near the city of Singaraja. As of 2026, the airport does not yet exist — it is still in the planning and feasibility stage.
Key Facts About the Planned North Bali Airport
The proposed North Bali airport is designed to serve as a complementary facility to Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code: DPS), which is currently Bali’s only operating airport, located in the southern part of the island near Denpasar. The new airport would primarily serve travelers heading to North Bali destinations including Singaraja, Lovina, Pemuteran, Menjangan Island, and the northern diving and snorkeling areas.
The airport is expected to handle both domestic flights from other Indonesian cities (Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta) and eventually international flights. The projected initial capacity is designed for 5-10 million passengers per year, with runway specifications suitable for narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families.
Where Would North Bali Airport Be Located?
The proposed location is in the Kubutambahan and Gerokgak districts of Buleleng regency, along the northern coast of Bali. This area was selected for its relatively flat terrain (compared to the mountainous interior), favorable wind conditions, and distance from volcanic hazards. The site would be approximately 15-20 km west of Singaraja, Bali’s second-largest city.
For context, this means that if the airport is built, travelers heading to Lovina Beach could reach their hotel in just 20-30 minutes instead of the current 3-hour drive from Ngurah Rai in the south.
Why Is Bali Building a Second Airport?
Bali currently has only one airport — Ngurah Rai International Airport — which handles all commercial flights to the island. This creates several problems. First, the airport is at capacity during peak season, with congestion causing delays and reduced traveler experience. Second, all tourists arrive in South Bali, concentrating tourism (and its economic benefits) in the southern districts while North Bali remains relatively undeveloped.
A second airport in the north would solve both problems: relieving pressure on Ngurah Rai while opening up an entirely new tourism corridor in North Bali, one of the island’s most naturally beautiful but least-visited regions.
How to Reach North Bali Until the Airport Opens
Until the North Bali airport is built and operational, the only way to reach North Bali by air is to fly into Ngurah Rai (DPS) and travel overland. The most popular option is a private airport transfer — a comfortable 3-hour drive through Bali’s scenic mountain interior.
We operate daily private transfers from Ngurah Rai to all North Bali destinations at fixed prices: Singaraja (IDR 550,000), Lovina (IDR 550,000), Pemuteran (IDR 650,000), and more. View all destinations and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions — What is North Bali Airport
Is “North Bali Airport” a real airport?
“North Bali Airport” is a commonly searched term that refers to the airport transfer route TO North Bali, not an actual airport. The physical airport is Ngurah Rai (DPS) in South Bali.
Why do people search for North Bali Airport?
Tourists search for “North Bali Airport” when they want to travel to North Bali destinations like Lovina and Singaraja and don’t know that Bali only has one major airport (DPS) in the south.
When will North Bali get its own airport?
There have been long-discussed plans for a second Bali airport in the north or east, but as of early 2025, no construction has commenced and no firm timeline has been confirmed by Indonesian authorities.
What airport code should I use to fly to North Bali?
Use airport code DPS (Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar) when booking flights to North Bali. It is the only international airport on Bali island.
How is North Bali different from South Bali?
North Bali is quieter, less touristy, and more authentically Balinese than South Bali. It features Lovina’s dolphin watching, black sand beaches, colonial Singaraja, and cooler mountain villages.
North Bali Airport vs Ngurah Rai — Key Differences Explained
Understanding the differences between the proposed North Bali International Airport (NBIA) and the existing Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) helps travelers plan ahead. Ngurah Rai, located in Tuban near Kuta, serves as Bali’s sole international gateway and handled over 20 million passengers in 2024. However, reaching northern destinations like Lovina, Singaraja, or the Munduk highlands from Ngurah Rai requires a 3-to-4-hour drive through congested mountain roads.
The North Bali Airport aims to solve this geographic bottleneck. Planned for the Kubutambahan district near Singaraja, NBIA would reduce travel time to North Bali’s premier destinations from hours to minutes. While Ngurah Rai focuses on southern Bali tourism hubs like Kuta, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua, the new airport would open direct access to eco-tourism zones, volcanic landscapes, waterfall trails, and traditional Balinese villages that remain largely untouched by mass tourism.
Infrastructure and Economic Impact on Northern Bali
Beyond passenger convenience, the North Bali Airport project represents a transformative economic catalyst for the region. The Indonesian government has allocated the project as part of the National Strategic Program (Proyek Strategis Nasional), recognizing that balanced development across Bali requires improved infrastructure in the north. Local communities in Buleleng Regency stand to benefit from increased tourism revenue, hospitality employment, and small business growth that currently concentrates in southern Bali.
Real estate analysts have noted significant interest in North Bali property investments, with land values in Lovina, Singaraja, and surrounding areas showing upward trends as the airport project advances through planning stages. For investors and property developers, the North Bali Airport represents a rare opportunity to participate in Bali’s next major growth corridor before infrastructure completion drives prices higher.