As reported by the Indonesian State News Agency Antara, the Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, is refining the rules governing touristic helicopter trips to ensure Bali’s kite-flying culture and tourism can coexist safely and peacefully.
“We have to follow the latest trends, adapt, and make adjustments so as not to disrupt the culture of the Balinese people or the hobbies of many residents,” said Sandiaga.
Describing the kite flying tradition of Bali forms part of local wisdom, culture, and customary behavior. Because of this, the Ministry of Tourism supports many kite-flying festivals in Bali.
In Bali, kites symbolize the god of prosperity, Sang Hyang Rare Angon. For centuries, Balinese farmers have flown kites as an expression of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.
The minister said that the areas popular for helicopter flights will be identified and mapped in the future.
“We have kite festivals that we support. Later, we will organize kite festivals, like in Wonosobo (Central Java, where hot air balloons disrupt flights. We will also coordinate such events with our colleagues at the Ministry of Transportation,” said Sandiaga,
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy said that the rules and regulations regarding helicopter tourism locations already exist, allowing authorities to focus on monitoring and compliance.
Concerns regarding helicopter safety have heightened with several recent incidents involving kite strings wrapped around the rotor blades of helicopters flying at low altitudes in tourist areas of Bali.
The Tourism Minister says that helicopters became popular as a modern mode of transport after the COVID-19 pandemic, with growing requests for helicopter “joy flights” from both domestic and international tourists.
In conclusion, Minister Sandiaga said: “With new regulations and assistance from the Ministry of Transportation and other community leaders, we will map kite flying areas to separate them from areas in which helicopters operate.
The Flight Rules: Kite Flying in Bali
The Provincial Law promulgated in 2000 sets particular altitude levels and spatial limits that are “mandatory” for governing the interaction of kites and other flying apparatus with all forms of commercial aircraft, namely:
- Within a 9 km radius of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, no kites or “similar airborne apparatus” can be launched into flight.
- No kites or “similar airborne apparatus” can be flown at an altitude of more than 100 meters within a 9 km and 18 km radius from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport.
- No kites or “similar airborne apparatus” can be flown at an altitude of more than 300 meters within a radius of 18 km and 54 km of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport.
Penalties
While enforcement of the kite restriction laws has been arguably lax, official penalties provide three months imprisonment or a fine of Rp. 5 million for any individual or persons involved in operating a kite in the restricted zone.
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