BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Bali has expanded its direct air links with China following the launch of a new nonstop route between Beijing Daxing International Airport and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, operated by China Eastern Airlines.
The new service operates three times a week, with flights scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The addition makes Beijing the fifth mainland Chinese city with direct flights to Bali, joining Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Chengdu.
“We express our appreciation to all parties involved in making this new route possible,” said Ngurah Rai International Airport General Manager Nugroho Jati on Sunday (July 12).
The inaugural flight, MU889, departed Beijing Daxing International Airport on Saturday (July 11) aboard an Airbus A330 carrying 287 passengers.
The aircraft left Beijing at 3:43 p.m. local time and landed at Ngurah Rai International Airport at 10:55 p.m. WITA.
Shortly afterward, the return service, flight MU890, departed Bali at 12:48 a.m. WITA on Sunday (July 12), also carrying 287 passengers back to Beijing.
According to Nugroho, the new direct connection is expected to strengthen Bali’s international accessibility and enhance the island’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.
China remains Bali’s second-largest source of international visitors after Australia.
During the first half of 2026, approximately 297,000 Chinese tourists visited Bali.
“We are delighted to welcome this new route connecting China’s capital with Bali. We are optimistic that it will further strengthen air connectivity with China while enhancing Bali’s competitiveness as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations,” Nugroho said.
With the launch of the Beijing Daxing service, the airport now offers 42 international direct routes operated by 43 domestic and international airlines.
Airport authorities expect the additional connection to improve travel convenience for visitors from China while supporting continued growth in Bali’s tourism and related economic sectors.