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Introduced and inaugurated alongside the 2023 Chinese New Year celebrations

B A L I – January 20, 2023. The positive developments in the recovery of the tourism and creative economy sectors and the aviation industry continue to show a better trend. Collaboration and joint initiatives are always carried out by maintaining the application of health protocol guidelines and through activities promoting super-priority destinations as priority programs to attract foreign tourists (tourists), including those from China, to visit Indonesia.

According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenparekraf RI), the implementation of 3S includes "size," "spread," and "spending" as well as a "growth" approach, Indonesia projects foreign tourists from China to Indonesia in 2023, namely 120,900 to 255,700 visits. In 2019, Chinese tourists recorded 2 million trips.  

In support of the government's agenda, Lion Air (JT flight code) member of Lion Air Group, announced the opening of international inaugural direct (non-stop) flights from China to Indonesia. This first route began on January 22, 2023, from Shenzhen Baoan International Airport, Guangdong (SZX), to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Denpasar International Airport in Badung, Bali (DPS), carrying 193 adult tourists, 17 children, and two toddlers. In the initial stage, Lion Air serves flights once a week.

Jadwal terbang

Description no time difference: Bali and Shenzhen use GMT+08 format.

Long haul duration of 4 hours 55 minutes, Lion Air operates a modern fleet of Boeing 737-900ER aircraft (215 economy class seats). The average plane is young that is shipped directly from the aircraft manufacturer. The aircraft in question has a high level of security and safety. All aircraft have undergone intensive care, are in the best condition, and are airworthy for flight.

The main feature of the aircraft is offering a 3-3 single aisle seat layout (configuration). Travelers can feel comfortable flying because each seat has upholstered in leather and is ergonomic with a comfortable seat pitch. The storage space for goods is in the cabin/ above the seats (overhead), or the compartments are large. The advantage is that it can accommodate luggage according to the provisions that may be carried and facilitates arrangement.

The feel during the flight is more comfortable, supported by Boeing Sky Interior. The cabin ceiling is oval. The lighting system presents different color choices that are adjusted to the mood, such as soft blue when welcoming when boarding to be fresh, twilight or orange (sunset) colors suitable for a relaxed, calm atmosphere, and brownish red will display softness. The lighting arrangement of the reading lamps on the panel above the seat is more futuristic, which helps during reading or other activities, especially when the cabin lights turn off. In addition, the arrangement pattern interior and sidewall Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamps are attractive, giving a more airy impression.

Addition of Destinations to China and Connectivity in Indonesia

Increasing the frequency of flights from Shenzhen to Bali and plans to open new Lion Air routes from other Chinese cities such as Beijing, Xián, Jinzhou, Haikou, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shanghai-Pudong, Zhengzhou and Guangzhou to Indonesia done step by step.

The inauguration of China–Indonesia flights comes after the Chinese government decided to lift the strict international travel restrictions announced on January 8, 2023, and introduced at the same time as the 2023 Chinese New Year celebrations.

The return of Chinese tourists via Lion Air's non-stop flights can contribute to the achievement of overseas tourist visits ranging from 3.5 million - 7.4 million visits. The country nicknamed the Bamboo Curtain is one of the largest market-contributing countries for tourism and aviation sectors in Indonesia.

Based on data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, from January – November 2022, the most foreign tourists through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport had 1,777,684 visits. The number of tourist achievements of 4.57 million exceeded the target set at 3.5 million trips in 2022, an increase of 228% from 2021 in the same period of 1.39 million visits. 

Lion Air's international network, from the leading global technology center of China's Silicon Valley "Shenzhen" to the Indonesian tourism gateway "Bali" is one of the efforts to support the Proud To Travel in Indonesia (BBWI) movement to strengthen the creative economy system and accelerate the development of the national economy.

More value for tourists through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Lion Air provides connecting flights to favorite cities as tourist destinations in Indonesia, including:

1. Lake Toba (North Sumatra),
2. Tanjung Kelayang (Bangka Belitung Islands),
3. Borobudur Temple (Central Java),
4. Seribu Islands (DKI Jakarta),
5. Tanjung Lesung (Banten),
6. Mandalika Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara),
7. Morotai Island (North Maluku),
8. Bromo - Tengger - Semeru (East Java),
9. Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara),
10. Likupang Manado (North Sulawesi),
11. Raja Ampat Sorong (West Papua) and other destinations.

Another factor is opening the Shenzhen to Bali route will further expedite business and trade traffic. The movement of exports from plantation agricultural products, fisheries, livestock, and MSMEs is easier, faster, and more precise.

Shenzhen is known as the large and busiest metropolitan area in mainland China. The city has built with continuously developing infrastructure and high investment value and is divided into the Shenzhen Free Trade Zone and the Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park, higher education, and tourism.

On this good occasion, flights from the City of Design - Shenzhen to the Island of the Gods - Bali round trip (PP) have also strengthened bilateral relations between countries (Indonesia and China).

Lion Air would like to thank for the coordination and support from regulators, airport managers PT Angkasa Pura I Bali and Shenzhen Airport Company Ltd., air traffic controllers - AirNav Indonesia and Shenzhen Airport Air Traffic Control, air travel partners, related parties (airport authorities airport, port health office, immigration, BMKG, and other authorized institutions), flight crew and all employees, in organizing China's international routes running smoothly. Lion Air appreciates this form of cooperation, so this synergy expects to facilitate air travel for tourists to and from China.