Management of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, announced the addition of new international flight services to China and South Korea. The expansion strengthens the airport’s connectivity to key tourism markets in East Asia.
According to General Manager Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, two international airlines have commenced operations this week, offering direct routes to Chengdu, China, and Cheongju, South Korea.
“We welcome the entry of Sichuan Airlines and T’way Air, which for the first time operate at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. The connection of Chengdu and Cheongju directly opens up new opportunities for tourists from China and South Korea to enjoy Bali easily,” said Ahmad Syaugi.
Sichuan Airlines Launches Chengdu Service
Sichuan Airlines officially began operations on Friday, September 26, with its inaugural flight connecting Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). The flight, operating as number 3U3985, brought 181 passengers to Bali on its inaugural arrival.
“The plane arrived at 21.35 WITA, the plane flew back to Chengdu with flight number 3U3986 at 22.58 WITA, carrying 108 passengers. This flight is scheduled to operate regularly every day,” he said.
The new service underscores the importance of China as a significant source market for Bali’s international tourism. Shahab noted that the opening of the Chengdu–Denpasar route holds strategic value in supporting the growth of travel between the two destinations.
“China has always been a significant contributor to the number of foreign tourist visits to Bali. Throughout 2025 until August, we recorded Chinese foreign services reaching 393,825 people, or ranking third in the number of foreign arrivals on the island of Bali,” he said.
T’Way Air Opens Cheongju–Denpasar Route
The second addition to Bali’s air connectivity is T’Way Air, which launched its direct service between Cheongju (CJJ) and Denpasar on Thursday, September 25. The inaugural flight TW157 landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 23:54 WITA, carrying 159 passengers.
The return flight, TW158, departed the following day, Friday, September 26, at 01:09 WITA, marking the official start of regular operations for the South Korean carrier on this route.
“This route will be served regularly twice a week, namely on Thursday and Sunday, using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft,” said Ahmad Syaugi.
Strengthening Airport Operations
The addition of these two international airlines underscores the airport management’s efforts to deliver high-quality service while accommodating the growing international flight traffic. Shahab emphasized that the airport remains committed to providing seamless operations by maintaining coordination with all relevant stakeholders.
With the arrival of Sichuan Airlines and T’Way Air, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport now serves 42 international routes, operated by 47 different airlines. This milestone reinforces Bali’s role as a significant hub for international air travel in the region.
Both Sichuan Airlines and T’Way Air have officially commenced regular operations to Bali, adding to the growing list of carriers that serve the island. The airport management continues to monitor operations to ensure smooth service delivery across all international routes.
