SINGARAJA

The Governor of Bali, Made MangkuPastika, said that the building of an airport in Buleleng was still a possibility despite many geographical obstacles relating to the regions topography.  Pastika explained that a team is analyzing the area to determine where an airport would best be situated.

Previous studies had concluded that the areas of Kubutambahan and Gerokgak would be ideal, but the former chief of Bali Police has stated that these two locations do not have an area long enough for a runway at the base of the mountain.

Residents in the area are becoming increasingly anxious wondering if the airport will be built.  As a result, the Governor that a potential solution would be a runway in the ocean.  However, this also presents problems as the depths of the sea in that area is between 450-1000 meters and would, thus, require reclamation, a hotly contested issue on the island at present.

Pastika assured the public that the establishment of an airport would be an issue for central, provincial and regional governments and not private investors so that profits would not be the primary objective.