Belitung Regency Plans New Flight Route Connecting Bali, Belitung and Bangka
The Belitung Regency government in Indonesia has announced plans to develop a new flight route connecting Bali, Belitung, and Bangka islands. Discussions with airlines such as Lion Air are underway, aiming to boost tourism. The plan is still in the proposal stage, with no confirmed launch date yet.
On September 4, 2026, Djoni Alamsyah Hidayat, the Regent (Bupati) of Belitung Regency in Indonesia, announced plans to develop an air connectivity network linking Bali to Belitung, then Belitung to Bangka island, and back to Bali. According to Hidayat, the regency government has already been in discussions with several airlines, including Lion Air, which have shown a positive response toward opening the route.
Realizing this plan will require support from both the provincial and central governments, as improved air access is considered a key pillar for developing Belitung's tourism sector. Alongside connectivity, the local government also plans to strengthen branding, tourist attractions, and infrastructure to support tourism growth, leveraging Belitung's natural scenic beauty as its main strength.
A local resident, Zaldi, commented that opening a Bali-Belitung flight connection could bring positive economic effects to the region, benefiting a wide range of businesses from small enterprises (UMKM) to hotels as tourist numbers increase.
It should be noted that this announcement remains at the planning and discussion stage; no confirmed launch date or flight schedule has been announced yet.
Things to Consider
Since the new route is not yet confirmed, travelers considering a trip from Bali to Belitung should check current connecting flight options (e.g., via Jakarta) on airline websites. Once an official announcement is made, expect limited initial flight frequency and possible fare fluctuations, so booking early and monitoring official airline updates is recommended.
Source: RRI