TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Transportation applauded the maiden flight of Lion Air's PK-LSU JT2648 aircraft serving the new Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport – I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Sunday, January 22, 2023. The flight, which originated from China carries 212 tourists.

The Director General of Air Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation M. Kristi Endah Murni, said that the flight marks Indonesia's position as a favorite tourist destination. "The new policy of the Chinese government, which opens its borders on January 8, 2023, will provide positive values for Indonesia and will be able to rejuvenate the domestic flight industry," Kristi said in a press release on Monday, January 23, 2023.

Kristi added that the Ministry of Transportation will provide full support to aircraft that complied with prevailing regulations and requirements by providing flight permits. However, Kristi mentioned that valid health protocols will still need to be exercised.

Kristi expressed his confidence that Indonesia will be able to accommodate Chinese tourists. In addition, Kristi continued, Indonesia has good experience in crisis management gained during the COVID-19 pandemic period, which was followed by the massive increase of CHSE Certified Destination and relatively high vaccination per population ratio.

Furthermore, Kristi mentioned that the Indonesian tourism sector had shown positive marks apparent from 1,778,470 foreign tourists visit to Bali during the period of January to November 2022, which exceeds the government's target of 500,000 tourist visits.

Kristi added that the next challenge would be to accommodate new routes as more countries decided to open international flights. "Services also need to be improved, by always complying to regulations on safety, security, and services," Kristi concluded.

RIRI RAHAYU

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