Voyage Vistas

At least 13 international airlines have expressed interest in launching direct flights to Bali. These planned routes include connections from major countries such as China, Russia, Japan, India, and the United States. However, the proposals are still under consideration . Handy Heryudhitiawan, General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali Airport, mentioned that airlines have requested time slots for regular flights. While some have made submissions, they have yet to initiate services. For the 2023 dry season, several airlines that secured slots last year are still absent from the market. “T hey must reapply for approval, including schedules and aircraft type, ” Handy said. The airport is waiting for further confirmation of their plans. Tjok Bagus Pemayun, Head of Bali’s Provincial Tourism Office, noted that out of the 13 proposed airlines , three or four are from China. Before the pandemic, Bali had direct flights from 15 Chinese cities, but none are operational at present . Pemay

The 2024 Africa-Indonesia Forum concluded in Bali, bringing together key officials and experts. They exchanged ideas on tourism, agriculture, trade, and industry. A central focus for Bali's tourism industry was Africa's successful conservation tourism models . Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, emphasized the significance of these African initiatives. He explained how African countries turned cultural heritage into both tourist attractions and conservation projects. For example, Algeria has more Roman ruins than Italy. Meanwhile, 30% of Tanzania’s economy comes from wildlife tourism. Throughout the forum, participants often compared Zanzibar, a Tanzanian island, to Bali. Although some mistakenly called Zanzibar a country, it shares several similarities with Bali. Both face the challenge of balancing tourism growth with environmental and cultural preservation. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investme

  AirAsia has introduced direct flights connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) with Komodo International Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. This makes AirAsia the first international airline to offer a direct route to this destination, known for its unique Komodo dragons, a species found only on this island. The inaugural flight landed in Labuan Bajo on September 3, 2024. This marks the start of a three-times-a-week service between the two locations. The route provides over 4,000 seats weekly, with expectations of boosting tourism and benefiting local economies in both Indonesia and Malaysia. AirAsia emphasized that the new route is likely to significantly increase tourist numbers, which will positively impact local businesses. The airline’s Fly-Thru service also enhances accessibility, making it easier for travelers from Asia and Australia to visit Komodo National Park and Flores island with a single stop in Kuala Lumpur. Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, AirA