# Phuket welcomes AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Denpasar (Bali)

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/press-release/156272-tat-welcomes-airasias-inaugural-flight-from-denpasar-bali-to-phuket
- Published: 2024-08-13T10:43:25+07:00
- Author: Tourism Authority of Thailand

**The Tourism Authority of Thailand celebrated the inaugural Bali-Phuket flight 
by AirAsia with a ceremony at Phuket International Airport. This new route will 
operate three times a week, indicative of the robust travel demand from Indonesia.**

## AirAsia’s Inaugural Flight Welcomed in Phuket

Phuket, 13 August 2024 – On 10 August, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held
a ceremony at Phuket International Airport to welcome AirAsia’s first flight from
Denpasar (Bali). Flight QZ 246 received a water cannon salute and passengers were
greeted by officials from TAT, Phuket International Airport, and Phuket Tourist 
Association. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, expressed delight in the new
direct route, highlighting the strong demand for outbound travel from Indonesia.

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## New Direct Flight Between Bali and Phuket

AirAsia will now operate the Bali-Phuket route thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays,
and Saturdays using an Airbus A320 with 180 seats. The inaugural flight had a high
load factor of 88.88%, accommodating 160 passengers. Currently, AirAsia operates
38 weekly flights to Bangkok from Jakarta, Medan, and Denpasar, adding to the services
by Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airways International, Thai Lion Air, and Batik Air.

## Boost in Air Connectivity

The new Bali-Phuket route enhances the 78,836 air-seat capacity between Thailand
and Indonesia in 2024, marking an 81% recovery from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
From January 1 to August 9, 2024, Thailand welcomed 536,720 Indonesian visitors,
with expectations set to reach 800,000 by year-end, generating a projected 21.46
billion Baht. This resurgence underscores the robust travel relations between the
two nations.

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**Source** : [TAT welcomes AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Denpasar (Bali) to Phuket](https://www.tatnews.org/2024/08/tat-welcomes-airasias-inaugural-flight-from-denpasar-bali-to-phuket/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tat-welcomes-airasias-inaugural-flight-from-denpasar-bali-to-phuket&rand=55352)