This year marks a significant expansion in air travel
options to Indonesia, particularly to Bali and Jakarta, with the introduction
of several new direct flight routes.
Etihad Airways will launch a direct
service connecting Bali with Abu Dhabi, enhancing connectivity between
Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Plans are also underway for new direct
flights linking South Korea's Busan with both Bali and Jakarta, expected to
bolster tourism and cultural exchanges. Meanwhile, Starlux Airlines will debut
a Taipei-Jakarta route from September 1, 2024, offering luxury travel
experiences with Airbus A321neo aircraft.
This article explores the details of these
exciting new routes and their potential impact on regional travel.
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Bali - Abu Dhabi (UAE)
On June 25, Etihad Airways will launch a new direct flight to Bali, connecting the island with the United Arab Emirates.
The airline has acquired new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners specifically for this route.
Flights from Abu Dhabi will depart four times a week:
- Flight EY 476 will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Abu Dhabi International Airport, departing at 22:25 and arriving in Denpasar at 11:35.
- Flight EY 477 will depart from Denpasar on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 18:45, landing in Abu Dhabi at 23:45.
One-way ticket prices start at 11,800,000 IDR ($723).
This route is expected to attract long-haul travelers as it provides another convenient transfer option.
Bali/Jakarta - Busan (South Korea)
Plans for two new direct flights
connecting South Korean Busan with Bali and Jakarta are also in the works.
Bali's tourism industry professionals are eagerly awaiting their launch,
anticipating an increase in visitors from South Korea. Additionally, these flights
may be highly sought after by young Indonesians interested in K-pop culture.
"We are looking forward to
these flights being launched as we want more foreign tourists to come not only
to Bali but also to Jakarta," said Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and
Creative Economy of Indonesia, during a weekly briefing.
"For example, if there are
two flights a day, we hope that the number of foreign tourists will increase by
about 50,000-100,000 people," he added.
Initially, there may be six
flights a week between Busan and Jakarta. Two airlines, Air Busan and Jin Air,
have already announced their intention to operate them. Additionally, Air Busan
will operate four flights a week on the Busan-Bali route.
Currently, flights between Busan
and Bali are operated by Korean Air and China Eastern Airlines, but these are
not direct routes. Travelers must make a transfer either in Shanghai or Kuala
Lumpur.
Jakarta - Taipei (Taiwan)
The final addition to the roster
of new direct flights is the Taipei-Jakarta route operated by Starlux Airlines,
slated to begin on September 1, 2024.
Starlux Airlines will deploy Airbus
A321neo aircraft for this route, promising travellers a blend of modern comfort
and efficient service between Taiwan's capital and Indonesia's bustling
Jakarta.
The Taipei-Jakarta flight will
operate five times a week: every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday. Departure from Taiwan Taoyuan Airport is at 13:30, with arrival at
Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport scheduled for 8:10. The flight duration is 5
hours and 20 minutes.
Tickets for these flights are
already available on the airline's website, priced starting at 5,882,000
Indonesian rupiahs ($360) for September 2024.
Minister Uno highlighted that the
launch of Starlux Airlines flights to Jakarta responds to high demand for
luxury travel, estimating that 20% of Indonesian travellers opt for this level
of service. Starlux Airlines is well-suited for this market, having been named
Taiwan's leading "boutique carrier" in 2020. Known for its luxurious
amenities such as high-resolution screens and leather headrests on seats,
Starlux Airlines also features crew uniforms designed by renowned Taiwanese
designer Sean Ingle, blending 1940s and 1950s fashion with functionality and
futurism.
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With this launch, Starlux
Airlines will become the third Taiwanese full-service carrier operating
Taipei-Jakarta flights. China Airlines (CAL) and EVA Air currently offer
multiple daily flights to Jakarta using larger wide-body aircraft.
With these new flight routes set to launch, travellers can
look forward to enhanced connectivity and convenience when visiting Bali and
Jakarta, underscoring Indonesia's appeal as a key destination in Southeast
Asia.
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