LONDON – Indonesian low-cost carrier Lion Air has operated an inaugural flight direct (non-stop) from Shenzhen, China to Bali, 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.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenparekraf RI), Chinese tourists recorded 2 million trips to Indonesia in 2019, prior to the global pandemic.
In support of the government’s agenda to develop this sector, Lion Air will serves flights once a week in the initial start-up phase.
Lion Air fleet
Lion Air operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737-900ER aircraft (215 economy class seats). A main feature of the aircraft is the 3-3 single aisle seat cabin layout.
Travelers can expect comfortable flying because each seat has upholstered in leather and is ergonomic with a comfortable seat pitch.
The feel during the flight is comfortable, supported by the Boeing Sky Interior. The cabin ceiling is oval. The lighting system presents different colour choices that are adjusted to the mood, such as soft blue when welcoming when boarding. This changes to fresh, twilight or orange (sunset) colors suitable for a relaxed, calm atmosphere.
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 an airier impression.
Addition of Destinations to China and Connectivity in Indonesia
The Indonesian airline plans to increase the frequency of flights from Shenzhen to Bali and to open new Lion Air routes from other Chinese cities.
Cities such as Beijing, Xián, Jinzhou, Haikou, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shanghai-Pudong, Zhengzhou, and Guangzhou will be added 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 will contribute to the bolstering of overseas tourist visits to the order of between 3.5 million and 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.
Lion Air’s international network, connecting the leading global technology center will of China’s Silicon Valley “Shenzhen” to the tourism gateway of Bali, is one of the efforts to support the Proud To Travel in Indonesia (BBWI) movement.
The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the creative Indonesian economy system and accelerate the development of the national economy.
