Tourists seeking to explore more of Southeast Asia’s bucket list destinations have a treat in store.
The region’s favorite low-cost airline has just announced new flight services that will connect Bali travelers to incredible must-visit destinations.
Leaders in Bali have long been on a mission to help increase connectivity between I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and top neighboring destinations as well as the home regions of the island’s most frequent arrivals.
With Ministers working to secure cheaper flight tickets by potentially scrapping flight taxes and introducing flight subsidies to help keep costs down for Bali travelers, everything is looking pretty positive for Bali-bound jet setters right now.
The most exciting new flight service to be introduced for Bali tourists is an AirAsia-operated direct service between Bali and Thai resort or Phuket.
The inaugural flight took off from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday 10th, August. The General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, explained that this flight service to Phuket will operate three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Flight time to Phuket takes approximately four hours from Ngurah Rai Airport.
Heryudhitiawan said, “We appreciate the Indonesian airline AirAsia for operating two additional routes to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, last Friday and to Phuket, Thailand, in a very short time. We look forward to the addition of further routes by Indonesia AirAsia at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, both domestic and international.”
The new AirAsia Bali – Kota Kinabalu service will run three times a week.
Heryudhitiawan reiterated that this new Bali – Phuket flight service is increasing direct flight routes that connect Bali Island with Thailand.
Until last week, the only direct route to Thailand from Bali was to Bangkok, with options to fly into Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Mueang International.
Flights to Thailand are now operating an average of eight times a day from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.
“Throughout 2024 until July, Ngurah Rai Airport recorded services to 289,130 passengers coming and going from both flight routes to Thailand. We hope that the opening of the Phuket flight route can further increase the number of passenger traffic and tourist visits to both Bali and Phuket.”
Earlier in the year, Bali tourism leaders expressed concern that tourists could be options for destinations like Phuket and the Thai Islands over destinations like Bali due to the rising cost of visiting Bali.
For example, most tourists voting in Thailand are now granted a 60-day visa-free stay, while the tourist visa on arrival for Indonesia is valid for 30 days, costs IDR 500,000, and can be extended for a further 30 days for an additional fee.
Thailand also moved to scrap its tourism tax in the same period that Bali was introducing the contentious Bali Tourism Tax Levy.
However, with direct flight connectivity between Bali and Thailand’s most famous beach resort, there are now great opportunities for tourists to expand their vacation horizons; how does a week in Bali and a week in Phuket sound?
AirAsia officials feel that this is a positive move for both of the popular tourist destinations.
The President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, Veranita Yosephine, explained to reporters the potential that I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport has as a tourism hub in the ASEAN region.
Yosephine said, “With this new route, Indonesia AirAsia is further strengthening its position in the ASEAN aviation market. Bali is an Indonesian tourist destination known for its natural beauty and unique culture. Phuket in Thailand is also a favorite among tourists who enjoy a tropical holiday.
“We want to provide a unique experience for tourists to enjoy two destinations that have similar attractions with different cultures.”
Heryudhitiawan confirmed that Bali lovers could look forward to even more flight options before the end of the year. With the addition of the new Phuket route, Ngurah Rai Airport currently serves 38 international flight routes.
Heryudhitiawan said, “There are still requests for additional routes from several airlines. We are still continuing to coordinate intensively with various stakeholders to realize the addition of these routes, and we hope it will be realized soon in the remainder of 2024.”
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