Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has expressed support for launching direct flights between Bali and Moscow, as Indonesia seeks to deepen business ties with Russia.
“We encourage people-to-people collaboration, including direct flights from Moscow to Bali,” Airlangga said on 14 April 2025, after attending a Russia–Indonesia business forum held at the Raffles Hotel in Central Jakarta.
Tourism benefits in focus
While Russia is not among Bali’s largest tourist markets, Russian travelers have become an increasingly visible presence on the island, particularly since the pandemic. Many stay for extended periods and are seen as high-value visitors, contributing to sectors like villa rentals, wellness tourism, and long-stay hospitality.
The absence of direct flights, however, remains a stumbling block. Most Russians currently transit through third countries such as the UAE, Turkey, or Southeast Asian hubs before reaching Bali.
By easing access, a direct Bali–Moscow route could help Indonesia tap deeper into Russia’s travel demand, especially during peak seasons when many Russians seek tropical getaways during their winter months.
Beyond Bali: More routes under consideration
Airlangga made clear the plan isn’t limited to Bali. “We have five other tourist destinations that can also be improved through air travel,” he said, suggesting the possibility of expanding direct routes beyond the island to further stimulate regional tourism.
He also called for direct flights between Jakarta and Moscow, positioning the route as a key artery for strengthening commercial links between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and Russian business partners.
Early talks with Russia underway
The proposal has already been floated with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Valentinovich Manturov. “We will discuss the details further,” said Airlangga, indicating early-stage coordination is in progress.
Though no launch date was provided, the minister expressed confidence in a swift rollout. Citing a visit to Moscow in June 2024, he said, “We resolved it quickly, so we can certainly increase it quickly as well.”
If realized, the direct routes could open new doors for economic diplomacy and help Indonesia diversify its tourism markets at a time when international travel competition is intensifying.
