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Continue ReadingMore flights to Bali airport
As the peak tourism season is well underway in Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport celebrates the return of two more major international airlines and hits the milestone of serving 48 international flight schedules.
The increased availability of flights will be well received by the Indonesian authorities who were becoming concerned that demand for flights has been outweighing supply resulting in a slower economic recovery from the pandemic than hoped.
Since the reopening of borders in February 2022, Bali Airport has taken the time to celebrate the return of all major international airlines to the runway. Giant international flight providers like Emirates and Virgin Australia have been welcomed back to Denpasar with water cannon salutes and even a personal appearance from the island’s Governor Wayan Koster.
On Friday 1st July Ngurah Rai Airport celebrated the return of Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia, with the resumption of first international route, Singapore to Denpasar. On Saturday 2nd July the airport was able to celebrate once again, this time welcoming the return of Philippine Airlines.
The Philippines national airline has reopened the Manila to Denpasar route, safely transporting 192 passengers from Manilla to the Island of the Gods.
The return of a direct flight to Bali from the Philippines is a significant turning point. Although Australians make up the largest proportion of international visitors, closely followed by the UK, Singapore, the USA, and India, tourism markets from neighboring countries in South East Asia should not to be overlooked.
In 2019, Bali welcomed 340,000 passengers from the Philippines who headed to the Island of the Gods for both business and tourism purposes.
The General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, spoke with much enthusiasm to local reporters over the weekend.
He said ‘“The operation of the international routes Singapore – Denpasar with Garuda Indonesia, and Manila – Denpasar with Philippine Airlines is a positive signal that the aviation world is slowly starting to bounce back. With the addition of these two routes, currently I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport serves 46 departure schedules and 48 international arrival schedules in total’.
Of these weekly 46 departure schedules and 48 international arrival schedules are 19 different international routes to 11 countries. There are now 21 airlines serving destinations worldwide. Heryudhitiawan explained to reported that in June 2022, Ngurah Rai Airport welcomed over 365,178 international arrivals which is an increase from the previous months.
Heryudhitiawan went on to echo the hopes of the tourism industry at large to say that ‘we hope that this number [of passengers] will continue to grow along with the increasing number of routes served at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport’.
Last week Emirates Airlines resumed a daily flight schedule to Bali direct from Dubai. The carrier had resumed the Dubai-Bali route five times weekly as of the 1st May 2022 and in light of increased demand has been able to extend its scheduled offering. The Dubai-Denpasar route is not only a convenience for travelers from the United Arab Emirates but also makes it increasingly easier for European travelers to layover on their way to Bali.
The layover time from many of Europe’s major cities in Dubai, along the route to Bali, is often a little over 2-hours and breaks the trip up into two roughly 8-hour legs. Since reopening the Dubai-Bali route has carried over 29,000 passengers and completed 73 flights in a little over 60-days.
Airlines such as Virgin Australia have also been welcomed back to Bali in recent weeks and have made some exciting announcements for Australian travelers. Virgin Australia recently announced a direct Gold Coast-Bali flight schedule that will be launching in early 2023, with tickets available as of now. Currently, Virgin Australia flies directly to Denpasar from Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Bali starts opening borders
SURAT EDARANNOMOR IMI-0525.GR.01.01 TAHUN 2022
SPECIAL TOURISM ARRIVAL VISIT VISA TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN BALI DURING PANDEMICFrom March 7 Visit Visa on Arrival will be issued for the passport holders of the 23 countries below.
- USA
- Australia
- Canada
- UK
- Germany
- Netherlands
- France
- Qatar
- Japan
- South Korea
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Turkey
- UAE
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Cambodia
- Philippines
Visitors need at least 6 months validity of the passport, get 30 days initial stay that can be extended one time to maximum 60 days only. No extensions possible. Must have a return or onward ticket withing the validity of this visa.
Visitors on VOA can not convert their visa to a another visa or stay permit onshore at all. (so not to a B211 long stay or a Kitas)
Conditions apply to adhere to health protocol during the pandemic.
[This SE is about immigration only so details about quarantine will be in another SE from Satgas]
Requirements for International Arrivals to Bali from 14 October
In light of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport reopening international travels starting 14th October. Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito has laid out the travel requirements that international travellers must comply with.
The countries gaining entry access to Bali are:
- South Korea
- China
- Japan
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- New Zealand
“If they don’t meet the requirements, they will be asked to return to their country of origin,” said Wiku.
The instruction from the Home Affairs Minister number 47 of 2021 clearly explains that Bali will be opened to international flights.
“Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport will open on 14th October as long as it fulfils the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, testing, and the readiness of the task force,” the regulation said.
In particular, one of the rules that must be met by travellers is that each passenger must have proof of a hotel booking for a minimum of eight days of quarantine at their own expense.
Furthermore, the general rules for passengers on international routes are:
- They must have been vaccinated with two doses or a valid full vaccination.
- Indonesian citizens who have not already received the vaccine abroad will be vaccinated at their quarantine place upon arrival in Indonesia.
- Travellers from abroad must also be free from COVID-19 as evidenced by the results of a PCR test and undergo a quarantine period of eight days.
- Three PCR tests must be carried out: 24 hours before the traveller departs for Indonesia, shortly after arriving in Indonesia, and the day before the quarantine period ends.
If at the end of the quarantine, a negative result is obtained, the traveller will be allowed to continue their journey. Meanwhile, if it is positive, Indonesian citizens will be treated at the hospital at a cost borne by the government whereas foreigners who are positive will independently pay hospital costs.
Previously, international flights were only allowed through two airports, namely Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang and Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado.
Bali Airport Opens for International Travellers 14th October
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has announced that I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali will reopen for international travellers starting 14th October 2021.
However, Luhut said that there are several provisions that every international passenger must comply with, one of which must be mandatory self-quarantine.
“Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali will open internationally on 14th October 2021, as long as it meets the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, COVID-19 tests, and the readiness of the Task Force,” Luhut said at a press conference on the weekly evaluation of the implementation of PPKM on Monday 4th October.
Luhut explained that every international arrival to Ngurah Rai Airport must have proof of booking a hotel for quarantine for at least eight days at their own expense.
“The countries that we will open to are South Korea, China, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and New Zealand,” said Luhut.
The government is currently still implementing restrictions at the arrival gate for international travellers. These restrictions will be carried out both at the National Border Post (PLBN), ports, and airports.
Other airports that are currently open in Indonesia are at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang and Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado. Furthermore, the sea ports opened at the moment are Batam, Tanjung Pinang (Sumatra), and Nunukan (Kalimantan) ports. Also, PLBN is only opened at Entikong and Aruk Terminals (Kalimantan) and Motaain (East Nusa Tenggara).
Bali Governor: International Flights On 1st December is a Study
Bali’s Governor, I Wayan Koster, has responded to the rumours that international flights to and from Bali will open on 1st December 2020, derived from social media messages that stated so. He explained that the plan is still only at the stage of a study by the central government.
“It’s being discussed with the coordinating minister and the Minister of Transportation,” the governor said.
In the message, it was stated that there had been a direction from the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment to the Directorate General of Health, in an effort to restore the national economy, especially in Bali, by increasing tourism on the island.
Other reasons for opening international flights immediately are to restore Bali’s economic condition and to improve imports and exports. Many small- and medium-sized enterprises (UMKM) products are usually shipped via international
Bali Regional Secretary and a spokesperson from the Bali COVID-19 Task Force, Dewa Made Indra, also explained that the opening of Bali’s international flights is still under review by the central and regional governments.
“IF WE WERE ALLOWED, INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WOULD HAVE BEEN OPENED ALREADY, BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT TO MOVE OUR ECONOMY. BUT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IS EVALUATING OUR LEVEL OF READINESS SO THAT WHEN IT IS OPENED, THERE WILL NOT BE AN INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES,” HE SAID.
Furthermore, Head of Bali Provincial Tourism Office Putu Astawa claimed that he had not received official information regarding the plan to open international flights to and from Bali.
However, on one occasion, Putu also asked the central government to announce the opening to foreign tourists into Indonesia, particularly to Bali, ahead of time so that the Bali Provincial Government can be prepared before implementing the policy.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, recently stated that the Indonesian government is aiming to make Bali into a green zone in early 2021, following large-scale vaccination in the third week of December. Foreign tourists’ confidence in Bali’s security from COVID-19 is also a consideration.
Bali Plans to Re-open in December 2020
Resume of Socialization from the Health Office *
Day: Friday, 6 November 2020
from Dr. Terawan Agus Putranto; RI Health Director / Ministery
Following up on directions from the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment to the Directorate General of Health, in an effort to restore the national economy, especially Bali by increasing tourism in Bali, the Minister released the following plan, translated from Bahasa Indonesian.
Several concrete steps will be taken by the government, as a commitment to improve the people’s economy.
- Opening International flights to and from Bali, which will be planned
starting December 1, 2020. And it is hoped that all stakeholders and shareholders will join hands in the success of the government’s agenda. - Prepare supporting facilities and infrastructure in Bandar Ngurah Rai along with other related units, especially matters relating to health protocols.
- Creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere for foreign tourists visiting Bali, eliminating the stiff atmosphere, bureaucratic atmosphere and tense atmosphere (no TNI or Polri apparatus) in order to attract and give the impression that Bali is a cool, pleasant and welcome place and ready to welcome the arrival of foreign tourists while still enforcing health protocols, (Keep Distance, wear masks and wash hands). That Covid 19 is a common disease, just like the flu, or fever need not be excessive
- There will be simulations starting from the arrival of passengers, the SWEB / PCR checkpoint at arrival, how long it will take the scanning process to arrive at the passenger pick-up point. This simulation will be carried out tomorrow, Saturday, November 7, 2020, together with the Airport and Airport Authority (AP 1) and Otband together with the Headquarters Health team.
- Implement * DIGITALIZATION SYSTEM * on the SWB / PCR examination system, in order to detect earlier and more accurately verify misuse such as fake data, expired data, also avoid long queues of passengers when they arrive with QR-Code, so that passengers can go directly to the hotel.
- Prepare hotel accommodation according to the needs and number of passengers, to wait for the results of the intended SWEB / PCR. The results of the SWEB / PCR will be known 3-4 hours after the test is carried out.
- The SWEB / PCR test results will be sent to passengers at temporary accommodation hotels by KKP officers. The SWEB / PCR test fees and hotel accommodation will be borne by the passengers themselves. The Denpasar KKP was asked to prepare hotels, starting from 2 hotels, then 4 hotels or 10 hotels according to the needs and number of arriving passengers.
If the test results are stated positive, then the passenger will be isolated by the government at the cost of being borne by the passenger himself, in this connection to ensure insurance for each passenger. - As an effort to accelerate, a * Mobile Laboratory * will be prepared to carry out the SWEB / PCR checking process, and will also appoint seven (07) laboratories in Bali, parallel while waiting for the construction of a permanent supporting laboratory in Bali.
- The Mobile Laboratory will be sent to Bali immediately, its placement will be further arranged. Indo Farma as a state-owned company engaged in providing pharmaceutical facilities, in order to support the smooth running of the above stages and processes.
- Transit passengers should make a special route by the airport authorities so that they do not come into contact with arriving passengers, and transit passengers do not need a SWEB / PCR test.
- Tell passengers that the E-HAC must be enforced before landing the data has been submitted.
- AP 1 and Otband, are ready to support and oversee the steps and government programs launched.
So there you have it. A piece of cake.
I am sure that the process will be as smooth as any of the great triumphs that the airport is now famous for rolling out. Of course there will be hiccups, but any system would have its own bugs that need working out.
So book your flights and get ready to Come Back to Lombok!🙏
Angkasa Pura I shortlists partners to manage Lombok airport
Indonesian airport operator Angkasa Pura I has shortlisted 26 companies to jointly develop and manage Lombok international airport.
Among the companies shortlisted are Singapore’s Changi Airport Group, South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, Germany’s Fraport, as well as India’s GMR Airports.
Indonesian airport operator Angkasa Pura I has shortlisted 26 companies to jointly develop and manage Lombok international airport.
Angkasa Pura I, a state-owned operator itself, says the agreement covers design-build-finance-operate-transfer works over a span of 30 years.
The project to redevelop Lombok international airport is estimated to cost around Rp10.3 trillion ($953 million), the operator adds.
The existing runway will be extended from the previous 2,750m to 3,330m, with the terminal space expanded by 40,000 sq m (430,556 sq ft) to accommodate up to 7 million passengers annually.
Lombok international airport is currently only able to handle just over 3 million passengers a year.
Angkasa Pura I is also looking to develop an “airport city” concept surrounding the airport, to boost non-aviation revenue for the company.
Redevelopment works are expected to be completed by 2021.
Angkasa Pura I president director Faik Fahmi says: “Prospective partners are also expected to be able to participate in promoting Lombok as one of the best tourism destinations that Indonesia has to the world so that it supports the increase in aircraft traffic and foreign tourists in the country.”
Apart from Lombok, the operator also manages other Indonesian airports such as Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport, and the newly-opened Yogyakarta international airport.
Lombok is an island located east of popular Indonesian tourism hotspot Bali. Cirium schedules data shows that Lombok’s airport has connections to at least nine other points in Indonesia, owing to international travel restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In January, before restrictions kicked in, it saw international flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, as well as Perth.
