Thirteen Airlines Submit Requests To Schedule New Direct Flights To Bali

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The Head of the Bali Province Tourism Office (Dispar), Tjok Bagus Pemayun, has confirmed that thirteen airlines had submitted requests to schedule direct flights to Bali, including four from China. Speaking to the press on Monday, 30th January, Pemayun said he was unable to confirm the requested routes nor name the airlines, but that he had optimism that the growing demand for travel and especially growing demand for direct flights is a positive sign for the island’s economy.

Pemayun said, “The governor’s target to bring in 4.5 million foreign tourists this year is optimistic that it will be achieved with direct flights from China because that is one of the [biggest] market shares”.

When asked about the requests for direct flights, Pemayun said that four airlines from China had submitted requests, as well as nine others all requesting direct routes to Denpsar from other departure cities. He said, “Now there are airlines from China that are still applying for permits to Indonesia, especially Bali, for direct flights. The thirteen airlines have applied [for routes] as of March; they are still submitting, hopefully it will be issued quickly, that’s around four from China because before COVID-19 there were almost fifteen cities in China with direct flights [to Bali].”

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Speaking separately, the General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, also confirmed that thirteen airlines had requested new international routes to Denpasar.

He said, “In the future, there will be more, yes, with direct flights from China. There have been submissions for regular flights, they have proposed slots too, but they have not been implemented yet.” Noting that airlines from the US, China, Russia, Japan, and India have all submitted their flight approval requests.

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Heryudhitiawan continued, “They have to apply again for flight approval. When will it be carried out, what type of aircraft, and what time will it enter Bali, we are still waiting for the slot with the origin. We are open, free. Indeed, several proposals are coming soon, for example India, because the foreigners [from India] is number two [most frequent international visitors][. We are also waiting for a direct flight from India to Indonesia.”

The first direct flight service from mainland China to Bali since borders reopened landed on 22nd January. The Lion Air charter flight carried 210 passengers from Shenzhen to Denpasar. Passengers were personally greeted at the terminal by Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, the Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, also known as Cok Ace, and their delegation. It was later confirmed that the flight service would run every Sunday for the foreseeable future, with a more frequent schedule likely to be implemented when demand dictates.

The news that more direct flights from China are in the pipeline is good news for many tourism businesses in Bali. The news that direct flights from India are on the cards will be well received by tourism stakeholders too.

In December 2022, tourism leaders in Bali called on the government and airlines to launch direct flights from India to Denpasar in a bid to capitalize on the rising demand for travel in Bali from Indian tourists. The Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Association of Indonesia Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) said they want to see direct flights from Mumbai first and foremost.

Speaking at the end of last year, Chairman of ASITA, I Putu Winastra, said, “Our thinking is that the desire of the Indian people to travel is quite high. Even if there were direct flights to Bali, maybe the number of Indian tourists visiting Bali would be far greater than the current number”. Currently, travelers from India must transit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Bangkok, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, or Singapore. Destinations that each offer tourists amazing holiday experiences.

The easily accessible visa on arrival has been noted as a key factor for Indian tourists choosing to visit Bali. The visa may not be free, but it is far easier to obtain than visas for Europe, Australia, and North America.