New Flight Routes To Bali Make Travel Easier For Long-Haul Tourists 

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The Indonesian Minster for Tourism and Creative Economies has given his backing to new direct flights between South Korea and Bali.

The news comes as Etihad Airways prepares to launch a new direct flight between Abu Dhabi and Bali, an ideal option for long-haul travelers heading to the Island of the Gods. 

There are plans to launch two new direct flight services from South Korea’s Busan to Bali and Jakarta.

Tourism leaders in Bali have long been open about their intention to bring though more tourists form Korea to the island.

Speaking at The Weekly Brief with Sandiuno, Minister Uno told the press, “We hope it will be operational soon because we want more connectivity connecting Jakarta as the entry point for foreign tourists.”

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There is a strong connection between Indonesia and South Korea, with many young Indonesians interested in Korean pop culture and many young people seeking work in the country.

Minister Uno added, “For example, if there are two flights per day, hopefully, there will be an increase in the number of around 50,000-100,000 foreign tourists.” 

Two South Korean airlines are set to operate direct flights between Busan and Bali, as well as Jakarta. Air Busan and Jin Air have come forward, with both operating six flights a week to Jakarta, and Air Busan is set to operate the Bali-Busan route four times weekly. At present, it is possible to travel with Korean Air and China Eastern Airlines from Busan to Bali. However, the route requires a transit in either Shanghai or Kuala Lumpur. 

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On 25th June, Etihad Airways will be launching a new direct flight service to Bali.

The route which will travel from Abu Dhabi will operate four time a week and will be run on the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. 

The outbound flight, EY 476, will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Abu Dhabi International Airport, departing at 22.25 pm and arriving at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 11.35 am.

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The inbound service, flight EY 477, will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, taking off from Denpasar at 18.45 pm and touching down in the United Arab Emirates at 23.45 pm. 

As Bali braces for the high season, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport could see the highest influx of tourists since before the pandemic.

Travel data from the Central Statistics Agency shows that in April 2024 alone, over 1 million tourists passed through the airport timings. Between January and April 2024, over 4 million tourists traveled through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

Minister Uno told reporters, “Visitors as of April 2024 reached 4.09 million or 24 percent of the upper limit set, and we are calculating carefully because the target of 14-17 million foreign tourists is optimistic that it will be achieved.” 

Minister Uno has set high tourism targets for the nation in 2024, and so far, everything looks like it is going according to plan, especially in Bali.

Speaking at the beginning of the year, Minister Uno revealed, “The achievement of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia this year [2023] is around 11 million or above the target of 8.5 million.”

He added, “In 2024, we are targeting 14 million foreign tourist visits. We are optimistic that in 2025, the tourism sector will recover to normal.”

Bali is on a mission to welcome between 6-7 million tourists this year. Looking at the number of tourist arrivals on the island in just four months, with both the high season and the Christmas and New Year vacation period still to go, plus plenty of big events and conferences happening on the island throughout the rest of the year.

Bali lovers should not be surprised if the island beats pre-pandemic tourism targets by the end of 2024, rather than in 2025.