Denpasar, April 3, 2026 – The Europe Today: Garuda Indonesia is strengthening its role in regional connectivity by positioning Bali as a strategic hub linking international routes with eastern parts of Indonesia, with a focus on enhancing tourism and economic growth.
Speaking in Denpasar, airline official Dewa Bagus Rendra Maha Putera said the initiative aims to maximize Denpasar’s role as an international gateway integrated with eastern Indonesia, particularly Papua.
As part of this effort, the state-owned carrier has launched a new route connecting Denpasar to Jayapura, operating along the Jakarta–Denpasar–Timika–Jayapura corridor. The service is scheduled four times weekly—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays—from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport using a Boeing 737-800NG configured with 12 business class and 150 economy class seats.
Flight GA-652 departs Jakarta at 9:25 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB), arriving at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 12:20 AM Central Indonesian Time (WITA) the following day. It then continues at 1:05 AM WITA to Mozes Kilangin Airport, arriving at 5:45 AM Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT), before proceeding to Sentani Airport with a scheduled arrival at 7:55 AM WIT.
Return flights under GA-653 operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing Sentani Airport at 8:50 AM WIT, transiting through Timika and Denpasar, and arriving in Jakarta at 3:30 PM WIB.
Putera noted that the new route is expected to provide smoother travel for both international tourists and business travelers, while reinforcing Bali’s position as a primary tourism gateway. He added that improved connectivity is anticipated to boost visitor numbers to Papua and contribute significantly to regional economic development.
The airline emphasized it will continue to evaluate and expand its network to align with evolving passenger demand and market dynamics.
