"I got a call from Garuda Indonesia president director regarding the plan for (reopening the flight route) from Sydney to Denpasar," he said during a press conference at Denpasar city on Saturday.
According to Koster, reopening the Sydney-Bali flight route would be a good initial step as the local economy has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As to when the flight route from Australia will be reopened, Koster said his team is still waiting for updates.
"It is currently being planned; still waiting for the progress," the Governor remarked.
In addition, Australia's Jetstar Airways is planning to open flights to the Island of the Gods, so it is expected that Australian tourists will enter Bali soon, he informed.
Meanwhile, on February 16, 2022, Singapore Airlines (SQ) will carry passengers to Bali, he noted. "Hopefully, there are no obstacles so that it can proceed," he said.
The opening of a number of international flights to Bali would build momentum for its tourism recovery, he remarked.
"Hopefully, this Omicron (situation) can be controlled, with the hard work of all official ranks such as the regional military commander, regional police chief, and district heads/mayors in Bali," he said.
If the endeavors to handle COVID-19 in Bali can run well, tourism recovery can begin, he added.
On February 3, the arrival of a Garuda Indonesia flight (GA 881) from Narita, Japan to Denpasar, Bali marked the reopening of international flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali.
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Translator: Rhismawati, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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