Belitung Regency explores air link-up with Bali
Tanjungpandan (ANTARA) – The Belitung Regency Government in Bangka Belitung Islands Province is exploring a partnership with an Indonesian airline for domestic flights connecting Belitung Island and Bali in both directions.
“We are currently exploring a flight partnership with an Indonesian airline to connect Belitung Island directly with Bali,” Belitung Regent Djoni Alamsyah said in Tanjungpandan on Thursday.
He said he wanted to make travel from Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, to Belitung easier. Visitors from Bali would be able to reach Belitung without having to stay overnight or wait for an extended period in Jakarta, and vice versa.
“Easy air access between Bali and Belitung would certainly have a positive impact on tourism on both islands,” he said.
He explained that, following the discussions, the airline had provisionally agreed to conduct a trial on 16 November 2026, using a one-stop connection via Jakarta in both directions.
“The arrangement would allow passengers to continue to their destination on the same day, with an efficient transit in Jakarta and no need to stay overnight,” Djoni said.
To support the connections, the airline’s Belitung–Jakarta service is expected to increase to twice daily.
“One of the flight schedules will be adjusted to support onward connections to Bali,” he said.
Djoni said Bali was a national tourism hub with an extensive network of domestic and international visitors.
He said responsive, integrated connectivity had significant potential to attract tourists to combine visits to Bali and Belitung in a single trip.
“Belitung’s leading tourism attractions—including white-sand beaches, iconic granite rock formations, marine riches and its status as a UNESCO Global Geopark—must be supported by convenient air access,” he said.
He added that, alongside the one-stop connection via Jakarta, the possibility of launching a fully direct Belitung–Bali service was also being studied as a subsequent development.
“Any launch of direct flights will depend on the results of market research and the airline’s operational readiness,” he said.
He hoped that more efficient air access would directly support regional economic growth, particularly in hotels, restaurants and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as create new jobs.
“We must not simply sell Belitung’s beauty. We have to ensure that Belitung is easier to reach, better connected and more competitive as a tourism destination,” he said.