Bali eyes a Taiwan rebound as Starlux prepares a Taipei-Bali direct flight from 1 Oct 2026 — what Governor Koster said in Denpasar.
Cover image: Travellers at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport arrivals hall — photo by Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bali expects more arrivals from Taiwan as a Taipei direct flight returns on 1 October 2026. Governor Wayan Koster told Taipei Economic and Trade Office Director General David Wen-Chiun Lin in Denpasar on 4 September that the resumed nonstop service should deliver positive impacts on tourism, with Starlux set to land in Bali province in early October after a pause.
The meeting, reported by ANTARA, positions air links as the fastest lever for Bali's visitor recovery as Indonesia chases 14.6 million foreign arrivals in 2026. For Indian ocean travellers watching Bali connectivity, the restored nonstop adds seat options via Taipei for onward connections to East Asia and North America.
When does the Taipei Bali direct flight return?
The inaugural Starlux aircraft is planned for 1 October 2026 at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Lin described the flight as a resumption rather than a brand new route, intended to make trips quicker and more comfortable for Taiwanese holidaymakers. Koster said he hopes to attend the welcome ceremony for the first arrival.
The announcement was made on 4 September after talks at the governor's office in Denpasar. Photo caption credit for the meeting was ANTARA/HO-Bali Government. The governor also highlighted that air connectivity is vital to widen Bali's overseas market reach beyond its traditional Australia, China and India sources.
For context, Bali's tourism has been balancing strong demand with infrastructure pressure this season. Bali's vehicle crunch has seen cars outnumber people and Nusa Penida's hidden gems were pushed as crowds concentrate at Kelingking, so additional air capacity can spread arrivals if ground services keep pace.
Which airline will operate Taipei to Bali nonstop?
Starlux, the Taipei-based carrier. Lin, who is based in Surabaya for the Taipei Economic and Trade Office, framed the service as a resumption after a break rather than an inaugural. No frequency or aircraft type was disclosed in the ANTARA report, but Starlux typically deploys A321neo or A330neo on Southeast Asia sectors. Travellers should watch the airline and Ngurah Rai slot filings for the final schedule.
The route complements existing Bali links to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, plus long-haul Betweens that shape Bali's network. For example, Singapore Airlines is adding Bali winter flights with the 737 MAX, while Garuda's free domestic seats promo is pushing onward travel within Indonesia through November.
Why does Bali want more Taiwanese visitors?
Koster said, "We expect the opening of the direct flight route to deliver positive impacts on Bali's tourism," and voiced full backing for closer Bali-Taiwan ties. Both sides view travel as a strategic tool to boost cooperation and people-to-people links. Lin said Bali can capture demand driven by strong Taiwanese interest in travelling abroad.
The meeting also covered issues concerning Taiwanese visitors and residents in Bali, an indication that facilitation and visitor services were on the agenda alongside the flight. Taiwan has been a steady if smaller source market compared with Australia and China; a nonstop removes a connection penalty and can lift short-break and family travel in shoulder season.
If you are planning Bali from Taipei this autumn, check visa rules: Taiwanese passport holders are visa-exempt for short stays, while many other Asian travellers use e-VOA. For Indian travellers transiting Taipei, confirm separate ticket and baggage rules, and keep an eye on Taiwan's weather as typhoon season can affect October schedules.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Bali Taipei direct flight resume?
1 October 2026, according to the meeting on 4 September 2026 between Bali Governor Wayan Koster and Taipei Economic and Trade Office Director General David Wen-Chiun Lin in Denpasar. The service will be operated by Starlux and is described as a resumption after a pause.
Why is Bali targeting Taiwanese tourists now?
Koster said air links are vital to expand Bali's reach to overseas markets and expects the direct route to deliver positive impacts on tourism. Both sides noted strong interest among Taiwanese in travelling abroad and want quicker, more comfortable connections. Issues concerning Taiwanese visitors and residents in Bali were also discussed.
Which airline will fly Taipei to Bali nonstop?
Starlux. Lin said the early-October landing in Bali represents a resumption of Taipei to Bali province nonstop service after a break. The carrier's arrival is expected to be welcomed with a ceremony that Koster hopes to attend.
