Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali

Ngurah Rai International Airport (18 June, 2004)


Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is the gateway for most visitors to Bali. It is located in the neighborhood of Tuban, to the immediate south of Kuta, the main tourist area. Although it is about an hour from Denpasar, it is also known as the Denpasar International Airport and carries the IATA code of DPS.

The Ngurah Rai International Airport is the third busiest airport in Indonesia after the ones in Jakarta and Surabaya. It has an International Terminal and a Domestic Terminal, which is housed in the old airport building. was named in honor of I Gusti Ngurah Rai, the national hero of Bali who died in a suicide attack against the Dutch in 1946. It was established as an airfield in 1931. The airlies flying to Ngurah Rai International Airport include Aeroflot, AirAsia, Batavia Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hong Kong Express Airways, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Lion Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mandala Airlines, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Pelita air Service, Qatar Airways, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Skywest, Sriwijaya Air, Strategic Airlines, Thai Airways International, Transaero, Travira Air, Uni Air, Valuair, Virgin Blue and Wings Air.

At present, plans to expand the airport has been thwarted by local religious objections, as it would require the building of tunnels and bridges, neither of which is allowed. The present 3,600-meter runway is said to be too short for a Boeing 747 at maximum take-off weight. There is an alternative plan to relocated the airport to West Bali, but nothing substantial has materialized.

Ngurah Rai International Airport

In 1931 Department Voor Verkeer en Waterstaat of the Indian Dutch Government (similar to Department of Public Works) constructed an Air Strip for domestic aviation in Bali. During 1941 up to 1947 , This airport underwent a renovation work from 1941 to 1947, where its runway was upgraded and extended to the size of 1600 x 45 meters. Since it was located in the Tuban area, it was called Tuban Airport. In 1949 an air terminal was erected for Tuban Airport along with other aviation facilities. In 1959 Tuban Airport commenced providing services to international airlines. However it was only recognized as an international airport by the International Civil Aviation Organization in 1963.

From 1963 up to 1969 the Indonesian Government built an international airport terminal and extended the runway by damming up part of Bali strait so that the runway is extended to be 2700 x 45 meters. On August 1st. 1969, President Soeharto inaugurated the new Bali international airport, and changed its name to Ngurah Rai International Airport. During 1975 through 1978 Indonesian Government constructed another new International Airport terminal. The old International Airport was converted to be a domestic terminal and the former domestic terminal was used for cargo, freight forwarding and catering.

On 1 October, 1980, the management of Ngurah Rai International Airport was reassigned from the Directorate General of Air Communication to Angkasa Pura I Public Company. On September 1st 1985, the name Pelabuhan Udara was changed to Bandara Udara. On September 7 1990 the first phase of the Airport Facilities and Aviation Safety was officially dedicated by the Minister of Communication (it was scheduled in three stages or phases).

The first stage of development encompassed the extension of the passengers terminal which was equipped with Aviongrade, parking lot for vehicles, new operational buildings furnished with airline service facilities and the extension of the runway to 3000 x 45 meters. On October 31st. 1992 the official operations of the Ngurah Rai Airport Expansion was inaugurated by President Soeharto. Angkasa Pura I Public company was converted into a public limited company or P.T. (Persero) Angkasa Pura I, coming into force on January 2 1993.

Statue of Satria Gatotkaca near Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali (17 June, 2004)

Statue of Satria Gatotkaca

One of the first sights to greet visitors arriving at the Ngurah Rai International Airport is the statue of the legendary Satria Gatotkaca. Built in 1993 at the center of the road intersection at the northeast of Bali International Airport, the statue depicted Gatotkaca, a courageous and powerful knight, the son of Bima one of the five Pandawa brothers. He is identified as a flying knights who is responsible for air defence and security protection for the Pandawa Kingdom. This statue depicting a battle between Gatotkaca on Pandawa side, against Prince Karna whose horse-cart was coachmanned by Salya of Kurawa side in the Berata Yudha war. Gatotkaca sacrifices himself as a victim of Karna’s deadly weapon, Konta, that can be used only one time, to save Arjuna.

The erection of the statue apart from being a landscaping project around the airport, is also believed to lend spiritual protection and safety for all incoming and outgoing, flights. This statue offers an excellent photo opportunity for those arriving or leaving Bali.

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