Badung, Indonesianpost.com – An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft from Dubai arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Thursday, marking the first landing of the world’s largest passenger aircraft in the province.
“This flight was historic because it was the first, and it also demonstrates that Bali, specifically, and Indonesia, in general, remain popular tourism destinations for international tourists,” said Bali Governor I Wayan Koster during the A380 welcoming event at the airport.
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He expressed hope that more airlines will bring their passengers to Bali using wide-body aircraft.
He added that his provincial government is optimistic about the continuous increase in foreign tourist arrivals despite the province’s economy being only “half recovered” from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of April 2023, Bali has welcomed 1.5 million foreign tourists, and the number is expected to reach 4.5 million by the end of 2023, .
“Considering the improving situation and the operation of the Emirates A380, I am confident that we will achieve 5 million visits by the end of the year,” stated the governor.
Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, mentioned that the operation of wide-body jets by Emirates to Bali will have a positive impact on Indonesia’s and Bali’s tourism.
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The ministry fully supports the A380 flights and expects an increase in foreign tourist arrivals not only to Bali but also to other regions in Indonesia.
Faik Fahmi, the president, and director of the airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I stated that his team and other stakeholders have made optimal preparations for the arrival of the A380 at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
“We have made preparations in various aspects, both on the airport’s airside and landside, to ensure a smooth landing for the wide-body jet’s first arrival in Bali,” he stated.
The airport has prepared a two-trunk jetway for the A380 and ensured that only narrow-body jets would be parked beside it to accommodate its 79.5-meter wing span and 72.7-meter fuselage length.