Bali’s main airport, I Gusti Ngurah Rai, has further strengthened its international connectivity by adding Indonesia AirAsia to the list of airlines offering direct flights between Denpasar and Hong Kong. This development follows existing services provided by Cathay Pacific and Hongkong Airlines, giving travelers more flexible scheduling options.
General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, announced on Wednesday that Indonesia AirAsia’s addition is a strategic move to enhance the overall flight frequency between the two destinations. With this new service, passengers will benefit from an additional late-night departure option to Hong Kong, expanding their travel flexibility.
“Previously, travelers could only choose between Hongkong Airlines’ morning flights departing from Bali at 08:15 AM WITA and Cathay Pacific’s afternoon flights at 04:00 PM WITA. Indonesia AirAsia now fills a gap with a departure time of 01:45 AM WITA,” Shahab explained.
Growing Demand for Hong Kong Route
The route connecting Denpasar and Hong Kong has proven to be a popular and profitable one. According to data from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, flights on this route have consistently maintained a seat occupancy rate of 80%, with an impressive on-time performance rate of 83%. These figures underscore the potential and profitability of this route for airlines.
To accommodate the growing demand, Cathay Pacific has upgraded its aircraft from the mid-sized Airbus A333, which seats 317 passengers, to the larger Boeing 777, with a capacity of 438 passengers, starting from July this year. This move highlights the increasing demand for flights on the Hong Kong-Bali route.
In 2024 alone, the number of passengers traveling between Hong Kong and Denpasar reached 302,547, which accounts for 2.87% of the total international passenger traffic through Ngurah Rai Airport, amounting to 10.5 million passengers.
Indonesia AirAsia’s Inaugural Flight
Indonesia AirAsia officially commenced its operations on the Hong Kong-Denpasar route with its inaugural flight on Tuesday, October 1, departing at 00:45 WITA from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. This first flight carried 126 passengers. On the same day, flight QZ301 from Hong Kong made its first landing at 11:50 WITA, marked by a celebratory water salute, a traditional welcome for inaugural flights.
The Airbus A320 aircraft used for the route has a capacity of 171 passengers, and Indonesia AirAsia will operate one flight daily, totaling seven flights per week.
Enhancing Tourism and Economic Growth
The launch of Indonesia AirAsia’s new service was attended by Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. She emphasized the importance of connectivity in driving tourist arrivals and boosting economic growth through increased foreign exchange revenue and job creation.
“Indonesia AirAsia’s flights are expected to attract more tourists from Hong Kong and other international markets to Indonesia, contributing to the country’s foreign exchange income from the tourism sector and creating more job opportunities,” Marthini said.
This expansion of flight options is set to further stimulate Bali’s tourism sector, which plays a significant role in Indonesia’s economy. By offering more flight choices and improving connectivity, Bali can expect an increase in international visitors, particularly from Hong Kong, which is already one of the key markets for the island.
Final Thoughts
With the addition of Indonesia AirAsia to the Denpasar-Hong Kong route, Bali is solidifying its position as a top international tourist destination, offering greater convenience and travel options for global visitors. The continued rise in passenger numbers and the investment by airlines in larger aircraft reflect Bali’s strong appeal and its ongoing growth as a hub for tourism in Southeast Asia.
As the tourism industry rebounds, Bali’s enhanced connectivity will likely drive further economic benefits, not only for the island but also for Indonesia’s broader tourism and hospitality sectors.
