BALINEWSID.COM, JAKARTA — Greater Bay Airlines has launched a new direct flight route connecting Hong Kong and Surabaya, East Java, as Indonesia seeks to capitalize on growing tourist arrivals from Hong Kong.

The new route, which began operations on September 25, 2026, is being supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Hong Kong as part of efforts to strengthen air connectivity and boost tourism flows between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Deputy Minister for Tourism Marketing Ni Made Ayu Marthini said the direct service would help accommodate the growing number of Hong Kong visitors traveling to Indonesia.

“The arrival of this direct flight is a proactive step to accommodate the increase in international tourist arrivals from Hong Kong to Indonesia,” Made said in a statement on Monday (Sept. 28).

Greater Bay Airlines operated its inaugural Hong Kong-Surabaya flight, HB211, using an aircraft with a capacity of 189 passengers. The aircraft departed Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) at 6:15 p.m. Hong Kong time on Friday and arrived at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya at 10 p.m. local time.

An inauguration ceremony was held at Terminal 2 of HKIA at 4:45 p.m. local time and was attended by representatives of the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong. The ceremony included speeches, a group photo, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the distribution of souvenirs to invited guests.

The return service, HB212, departs Surabaya at 10:45 p.m. local time and arrives in Hong Kong at 4:30 a.m. the following day.

The service operates three times a week, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The new route comes amid a significant increase in tourist arrivals from Hong Kong to Indonesia. Ministry of Tourism data showed that 87,631 international visitors from Hong Kong traveled to Indonesia between January and July 2026.

The figure represents a 25.97% increase from the 69,567 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025.

Juanda International Airport also ranked third among Indonesia’s entry points for Hong Kong visitors in 2025, recording 4,183 arrivals.

Made said the new air connection was a strategic move by Greater Bay Airlines in response to the positive growth trend in Hong Kong visitor arrivals. Direct flights, she added, would improve accessibility and strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian destinations in the international tourism market.

The new service is also expected to support tourism development in Surabaya and other destinations across East Java.

Surabaya serves not only as an urban tourism destination but also as a gateway to a range of attractions across East Java. Improved air connectivity is expected to facilitate tourist movements and generate wider economic opportunities for tourism and creative economy businesses in the region.

“The direct Greater Bay Airlines route presents a strategic opportunity to capitalize on this positive momentum and increase tourist arrivals in the future,” Made said.

She added that Surabaya offers a range of experiences for Hong Kong travelers, including culinary attractions, cultural heritage, urban attractions and nature-based tourism.