Published on September 30, 2025
Indonesia, China, and South Korea have taken a significant step in strengthening their travel relations by introducing new direct flights from Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to Chengdu and Cheongju. These new routes aim to boost tourism and economic exchange between the three nations, offering easier access for travelers from China and South Korea to explore Bali’s renowned cultural, natural, and economic offerings. By expanding connectivity with these key international markets, the initiative fosters stronger ties, enhances tourism opportunities, and stimulates economic growth, benefiting both the travel industry and local economies.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali has taken significant strides in enhancing its global connectivity by adding two new international flight routes to China and South Korea, opening up fresh opportunities for international travelers and strengthening Bali’s status as a major tourism hub in Southeast Asia.

Advertisement
The introduction of these routes marks a milestone in the airport’s growing international appeal, as it now accommodates new carriers from China and South Korea. Sichuan Airlines and T’Way Air have officially begun their operations from Bali, further enriching the island’s accessibility. These new services, which connect Denpasar with Chengdu in China and Cheongju in South Korea, are expected to foster greater travel exchanges and tourism flows between Bali and these regions.
The first of these new routes, Sichuan Airlines, launched its service on September 26, 2025, with its inaugural flight from Chengdu’s Tianfu International Airport to Bali. Flight 3U3985, carrying 181 passengers, landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport at 21:35 WITA. The return flight, 3U3986, departed for Chengdu at 22:58 WITA with 108 passengers on board. Sichuan Airlines will operate this route daily, offering travelers from China more direct options to visit Bali. With China consistently ranking as one of Bali’s top international tourism markets, this service is expected to bring substantial numbers of tourists from Chengdu, a rapidly growing city known for its rich cultural heritage and booming travel sector.

The Chengdu route is particularly strategic, as it taps into one of China’s most prominent urban centers. The influx of Chinese visitors to Bali has been steadily increasing, with Chinese nationals being the third-largest group of international visitors to Bali in 2025, according to official tourism statistics. From January to August 2025, over 393,000 visitors from China traveled to Bali, underscoring the immense demand for direct flights between the two destinations. The addition of Sichuan Airlines to Bali’s air network further strengthens Bali’s competitive edge in attracting Chinese tourists and solidifies its position as a premier international travel destination.
T’Way Air, another new carrier to join the ranks at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, began its service from Cheongju, South Korea, to Denpasar on September 25, 2025. The airline’s inaugural flight, TW157, landed at 23:54 WITA, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a strong and enduring connection between South Korea and Bali. The return flight, TW158, took off on September 26, 2025, carrying 159 passengers back to Cheongju at 01:09 WITA.

Advertisement
This new route by T’Way Air will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, utilizing a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. South Korea has long been a significant market for Bali’s tourism, with a growing number of South Korean visitors flocking to the island each year. The regular operation of the Cheongju-Denpasar route will make it easier for travelers from South Korea to visit Bali, whether for leisure or business. South Korean visitors are known for their love of Bali’s beaches, luxury resorts, and cultural experiences, and this new service offers them a convenient way to reach the island directly, without the need for layovers or connecting flights.
The strategic importance of these new routes is not just limited to tourism but extends to the broader economic impact that tourism brings to Bali. Both Sichuan Airlines and T’Way Air cater to growing tourist markets in their respective countries. The services to Chengdu and Cheongju will likely boost Bali’s travel industry, create more demand for local hospitality, retail, and service sectors, and stimulate new business opportunities in the region. The tourism revenue generated by these new routes is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Bali’s post-pandemic recovery, helping the island continue its efforts to regain its position as one of the world’s top travel destinations.
The opening of these two routes also reflects the airport’s ongoing commitment to expanding its international network. With the addition of Sichuan Airlines and T’Way Air, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport now serves 42 international routes, operated by a total of 47 airlines. This expansion significantly enhances the airport’s ability to serve the needs of travelers flying to and from Bali, offering them more options, greater flexibility, and better connectivity to destinations across the globe.
Bali’s tourism industry continues to grow and diversify, attracting visitors not only from traditional markets like Australia, Japan, and Europe, but also from emerging regions such as China and South Korea. These new routes play a crucial role in furthering that growth. The addition of Sichuan Airlines and T’Way Air enhances the airport’s reputation as a hub for international travel and a vital gateway to Bali. By facilitating smoother, direct travel to Bali from key international markets, the airport strengthens its position as a crucial part of the island’s tourism ecosystem.
Bali’s reputation as a global tourism hotspot remains firmly intact with these new routes, as the island’s allure continues to captivate travelers worldwide. The addition of direct flights from Chengdu and Cheongju is just one example of how the island is becoming more interconnected with the world. With daily flights from Sichuan Airlines and twice-weekly services from T’Way Air, Bali is set to welcome more international visitors than ever before, boosting the local economy, tourism sector, and global visibility.
Indonesia, China, and South Korea are enhancing their travel relations with new direct flights connecting Bali to Chengdu and Cheongju, boosting tourism and economic exchange by making it easier for travelers from these key markets to explore Bali.
Looking ahead, these new routes are expected to contribute to Bali’s long-term tourism success, attracting travelers to its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and world-class resorts. For I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, these new services represent just the beginning of its growing international presence, as it continues to expand its network and connect Bali to the rest of the world.

Advertisement
Tags: Airline News, china, indonesia, Travel News

I want to receive travel news and trade event update from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World’sPrivacy Notice.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025

source