TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry has three alternatives for the location of a new airport in Bali. A new airport is needed to reduce the density in Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, as well as to parse traffic congestion in and around the vicinity.
"One candidate is the Kubutambahan are, on the north side of the island," Transportation Minister Evert Mangindaan Erenst said in Jakarta, Wednesday.
Mangindaan said that a feasibility study for Bali's new airport has already been completed and a team of technicians will begin working this October. The local government has also reminded the Ministry not to violate local provisions in constructing new buildings in Bali, one of which is the requirement to keep building height lower than that of Hindu temples.
Throughout the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport was overloaded. A total of 673 flights had to be canceled because on the 6th, 8th and 9th, the airport was closed for public for more than 12 hours.
MARIA YUNIAR