A new helipad at Bali’s UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is set to welcome VIP guests starting March 2025. Located in Banjar Kesambi, the helipad has successfully undergone testing and trial landings, according to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces General Manager Jhon Ketut Purna. “The trials have gone smoothly, and we are set for a March 2025 launch,” he confirmed.
Carefully positioned to preserve the cultural integrity of the rice terraces, the helipad’s location ensures it does not interfere with the landscape. Plans for such a facility have been in discussion since 2019, but an initial proposal within the heritage site was rejected by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture to protect the Subak irrigation system, a vital aspect of local agriculture.
While Purna did not specify whether the helipad would be used for commercial helicopter tours, he emphasized that its primary purpose is to accommodate VIP visitors. Helicopter tours have grown in popularity across Bali, particularly around Mount Batur and the Ubud rice terraces, but Jatiluwih’s approach remains exclusive.
With Jatiluwih recently named among the UN World Tourism Organisation’s top tourism villages for 2025, visitor interest is expected to rise. Purna reaffirmed the commitment to responsible tourism, stating, “Our focus is on preserving cultural heritage, protecting the environment, and ensuring sustainable tourism development.”