TransNusa Launches Daily Direct Flights Between Bali and Phuket
Indonesian carrier TransNusa began daily direct flights between Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport and Phuket, Thailand, on September 9. The new route allows travelers to combine both destinations without a layover, and TransNusa becomes the second airline after Indonesia AirAsia to operate this route.
A new air route connecting Bali and Phuket, Thailand has opened. Indonesian airline TransNusa officially began direct flight operations between Ngurah Rai International Airport and Phuket on Wednesday, September 9.
The inaugural flight (flight number 8B541) departed Ngurah Rai International Airport at 11:40 a.m. local time carrying 174 passengers and arrived at Phuket International Airport at 2:09 p.m. local time the same day. The return flight from Phuket to Bali (8B542) is scheduled to arrive at Ngurah Rai at 9:35 p.m. The route operates daily, seven days a week.
Ngurah Rai Airport General Manager Nugroho Jati welcomed the new route, stating that Bali and Phuket are both world-class tourist destinations with strong appeal to international travelers, and that the direct flight is good news for strengthening tourism connectivity in Southeast Asia.
The direct flight eliminates the need for transit, enabling a 'multi-destination tourism' concept where travelers can combine Bali and Phuket in a single trip. This is expected to potentially extend visitor stays and increase tourist spending.
TransNusa becomes the second airline to serve the Bali–Phuket route, following Indonesia AirAsia, which already operates twice daily on the route. Ngurah Rai Airport is currently connected to 42 international routes across 16 countries, served by 44 airlines. Airport management said it remains committed to supporting new route openings to benefit Bali's economy.
Things to Consider
Travelers planning to combine Bali and Phuket in one trip should compare fares and schedules between the newly launched daily TransNusa direct flight and the existing AirAsia service (twice daily). The direct flight avoids rechecking luggage and long layovers. When booking, check the latest schedules directly through the airline's official website or authorized travel agents, as new routes may see schedule adjustments in their early months.
Source: Radar Badung