(10/13/2009)
The Jakarta Post has confirmed that the long-delayed massive renovation of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport will commence in January 2010.
The renovation program will take 30 months to complete and encompasses major changes to passenger terminals, parking lots and the airport infrastructure.
The revamping of the airport was originally scheduled to begin in 2009, but was delayed when Bali's Governor Made Mangku Pastika strongly criticized the over-commercialization of airport's public areas which, in the original plans, saw 40% of all space designated for commercial purposes. Following negotiations with the Bali government, commercial space will now be limited to 30%.
The management company for the Bali Airport, Angkasa Pura I, has announced that the renovation program will consume a total budget of US$15 million.
Hundreds of residences and business now standing on the airport's adjoining areas will also be affected by the renovations.
Intended to increase passenger handling capabilities, the renovated airport will increase the carrying capacity of both the international terminal and domestic passengers.
Apparently a compromise has been struck with the Governor over his insistence that the airport's overall design reflect Balinese architectural values. The facility's managers have said that it will be difficult to retain Balinese elements in the exterior design of the airport, but that Balinese "style" elements would be given priority in the airport's interiors.
Related Articles
[Bali's Airport: A Goose that Lays a Golden Egg]
[Would Someone Please Listed to Governor Pastika?]
[Pak Legowo: Please Listen to the Governor].
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