New Direct Flight from Bali to Kazakhstan Set to Launch, Opening Unique Travel Opportunities
Bali, Indonesia — In an exciting development aimed at boosting international connectivity, Bali is poised to establish a new direct flight route to Kazakhstan, a unique and emerging travel destination. This initiative underscores Bali’s ambition to elevate its status as a global trade and transit hub alongside prominent cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Strategic Discussions at Bali Tourism Roundtable
The prospect of the new direct flight was a key agenda item during a business roundtable held on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, at the Fairfield by Marriott Bali Kuta Ngurah Rai Hotel. The meeting brought together pivotal stakeholders in Bali’s tourism and business sectors, including representatives from the Bali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali, the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Bali, the Bali Tourism Board, as well as members of ASITA Bali and Organda.
A significant presence at the meeting was I Putu Winastra, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Bali, who highlighted the potential benefits of stronger ties between Bali and Kazakhstan. “Today is a business roundtable between Kazakhstan and Bali, where we invited stakeholder leaders to share the business potential in Kazakhstan that our associations in Bali can capitalize on,” Winastra remarked to reporters.
Unlocking Economic and Tourism Potential
Winastra pointed out several promising avenues for cooperation, including opportunities in health and wellness tourism. “For example, sending therapists from Bali. Balinese therapists are well-known internationally. This is an opportunity worth seizing,” he said.
Although Bali currently attracts tourists from Kazakhstan, the numbers lag behind those visiting neighboring Thailand and Vietnam, which receive between 200,000 and 300,000 Kazakh tourists annually. The new direct flight aims to bridge this gap by improving travel connectivity, which is currently hindered by the need to transit through other countries for flights from Kazakhstan’s major cities like Almaty and Astana.
“Direct flights to Thailand and Vietnam, for example, already exist,” Winastra explained, emphasizing that enhanced air links could lead to more lucrative tourism flows. Kazakh visitors tend to stay longer—often more than 10 days—and invest more in their travel experiences, which is advantageous for Bali’s economy.
Government Support and Future Prospects
As Honorary Consul, Winastra collaborates closely with the Kazakh Embassy and Indonesian government authorities to push forward the proposal for direct flights. There is also optimism that visa-free travel arrangements for Kazakh tourists might follow, further encouraging easier and more frequent travel.
Kazakh Ambassador to Indonesia, Serzhan Abdykarimov, expressed strong support for these collaborative efforts, reinforcing the diplomatic enthusiasm surrounding this new partnership.
Indonesia recently implemented visa-free travel for South African nationals, signaling a broader trend toward facilitating international tourism access. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, visa-free entry was available to many of Bali’s key tourist markets, including Australians, fueling hopes that similar policies could extend to Kazakhstan in the near future.
Expanding Bali’s Air Connectivity in 2026 and Beyond
The new direct flight from Bali to Kazakhstan complements a broader expansion of flight routes at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport that is expected to continue into 2026. Over the past year, more than a dozen new domestic and international flights have been introduced.
Most recently, a new domestic route between Denpasar (Bali) and Jember in East Java commenced operations. Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, highlighted that this route not only boosts interregional mobility but is also a catalyst for economic growth.
“The opening of this new route is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening national air connectivity and encouraging the growth of the tourism industry and the regional economy,” Shahab said. He added, “Each new route added not only expands the flight network available to the public but also strengthens Bali’s position as a leading destination that remains in high demand.”
With the anticipated launch of direct flights to Kazakhstan and continuous investment in expanding air services, Bali is set to enhance its accessibility and attractiveness to travelers worldwide, promising exciting times ahead for the island’s tourism and trade sectors.
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