AirAsia Launches Direct Bali-Adelaide Flights, Boosting Indonesia-Australia Connectivity
Reporter
June 26, 2025 | 10:45 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian airline AirAsia has commenced direct flights between Bali, Indonesia, and Adelaide, Australia. This new route marks the fourth Australian destination served by Indonesia AirAsia, complementing existing services to Perth, Cairns, and Darwin.
Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Indonesia AirAsia, said that beyond offering direct access to Bali, the inaugural flight significantly expands travel options for passengers seeking affordable connections. These connections extend to over 130 destinations across AirAsia's extensive network throughout Asia and beyond.
"We believe that every flight not only carries passengers, but also brings the spirit of collaboration and the potential to bring nations and communities closer," Achmad affirmed in a written statement on Thursday, June 25, 2025.
Through this enhanced connectivity, Achmad emphasized that the flight is anticipated to continually foster cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and mutual tourism development.
Accelerating Growth and Expanding Choices
According to Achmad, a substantial number of travelers from South Australia consistently choose Bali over other international destinations. Bali stands as the largest and fastest-growing international destination for Indonesia AirAsia.
"The presence of Indonesia AirAsia will provide more choices for tourists, while also becoming the first Asia-based low-cost carrier to serve a direct route from Adelaide since 2015," he highlighted.
This route also unlocks highly affordable travel options—whether through single or double transits—via AirAsia's expansive network across Southeast Asia and further afield, encompassing popular destinations in Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and India.
Achmad further noted that flight connections through Bali are exceptionally convenient, and the cost to continue journeys to other destinations such as Jakarta, Bangkok, Phuket, and even Komodo Island remains remarkably economical.
Strengthening Bilateral Connections
Brenton Cox, Managing Director of Adelaide Airport, remarked that the launch of direct Bali-Adelaide flights by Indonesia AirAsia is more than just a new route; it represents a crucial step in bolstering connectivity between Indonesia and Australia, particularly within the southern region. This service is expected to encourage broader exchanges in tourism, education, economics, and interpersonal relationships.
"Developing affordable travel access is crucial to support our market growth and realize the expansion of the network we have planned," Brenton asserted.
According to Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Siswo Pramono, this flight holds particular meaning for Indonesian residents residing in South Australia, as it offers greater convenience for reconnecting with family and their homeland.
"This is a tangible form of living diplomacy, bringing two nations closer, not only through policies, but also through shared experiences, personal relationships, and cultural understanding," Siswo elaborated.
Surging Tourist Visits to Australia and Bali
Data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reveals an increase in Australian tourist arrivals to Indonesia. From January to April 2025, visits reached 511,678, marking an approximate 6 percent rise compared to the 481,614 visits recorded during the same period in 2024.
Australia consistently ranks as the second-largest country of origin for foreign tourists, following Malaysia with 765,992 visits, and Singapore in third place with 398,630 visits.
This upward trend is also evident in Australian tourist visits to Bali, a premier Indonesian destination. Throughout January to April 2025, Bali welcomed a total of 2,042,666 direct foreign tourist arrivals, an increase of approximately 10 percent compared to the previous year. Australian tourists led this influx, accounting for 474,277 visits, a rise of about 7 percent from the 441,162 visits in the corresponding period of 2024.
Unlocking New Travel Opportunities
The introduction of Adelaide as the newest destination in the AirAsia network creates fresh opportunities for millions of Indonesian passengers to explore South Australia. Concurrently, this service provides enhanced convenience for South Australian residents to connect to a myriad of popular Asian destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, and Phuket via the seamless Fly-Thru service offered by the AirAsia Group.
Through Bali, Australian tourists can also readily continue their journeys to various captivating Indonesian destinations, from Jakarta, the bustling center of national activities, to Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the iconic Komodo National Park. Beyond its status as a major tourism hub, Bali plays a pivotal role as a regional connectivity center within the AirAsia flight network, facilitating effortless onward travel to other Indonesian locales.
Tourist Destinations in Adelaide
Meanwhile, Adelaide, as a newly accessible destination, offers a diverse array of attractions for international tourists. These range from natural wonders like Kangaroo Island and Coober Pedy to world-class vineyards, enriching maritime tourism, and the abundant cultural and culinary richness of South Australia. This route is expected to further strengthen connectivity between Indonesia and Australia, simultaneously fostering growth in both regions' tourism and economic sectors.
Editor’s Choice: Bali's Sanur SEZ Officially Opens for Medical Tourism
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News