Emirates airline has resumed flights from Dubai to Bali after a two-year pause amid the global pandemic.
The Dubai airline’s first flight to Denpasar International Airport since 2020 landed in Indonesia on Sunday evening, and was welcomed by a traditional water cannon salute.
Crew and passengers on board the two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft were greeted by traditional Balinese dancers and there was a festive atmosphere at the airport as cake was cut to celebrate the airline's return to the island.
Famed for its beautiful beaches, epic surf, rice paddies and ancient temples, Bali has long been a popular holiday destination and Emirates is now operating five flights per week direct to the island, with a flight time of about nine hours.
The airline will increase this to a daily service on July 1, to coincide with the busy summer season.
Bali underwent a strict lockdown amid the global pandemic, restricting access to much of the world. It reopened to international flights in October, but airlines and travellers failed to return as Indonesia continued to record high Covid-19 case numbers and implement strict entry measures.
Travellers to Bali no longer need to quarantine at their accommodation or book any preapproved hotels, but must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test.
Jumeirah Bali: the island's newest all-villa luxury resort
Emirates' return to the island comes as another Dubai company makes its mark on the holiday hot spot.
The Jumeirah Group, parent company of the renowned Burj Al Arab, has opened its first property in Indonesia by way of the all-villa Jumeirah Bali.
Located in the Pecatu region in the south-west of the island, the new resort is on Uluwatu Beach, an area famed for being home to some of Bali's best shoreline.
It has 123 one and two-bedroom villas all with Indian Ocean views, private pools, butlers and pavilions overlooking the sunset or the resort’s landscaped tropical gardens. There's also a four-bedroom Royal Water Palace if you truly want to indulge.
The contemporary resort has a private beach, an infinity pool, the Peafowl Pavilion children's club and an oceanfront all-day dining restaurant with a farm-to-table philosophy.
Jumeirah’s award-winning Talise Spa is currently in soft launch at the resort with two therapy rooms. It will fully open in July when it will become home to Bali’s only traditional Turkish hammam and offer treatments based on ancient Balinese techniques and traditional herbal preparations.
In June, Akasa Gastro Gill will open giving guests a chance to enjoy traditional Indonesian cooking methods and techniques, alongside a resident DJ and specialist mixologist. Maja Sunset Pool Lounge will be the place to go to catch epic sunsets and enjoy light bites and refreshments overlooking the ocean.
Travellers will be able to take part in daily guided meditation and yoga classes, hosted by Jumeirah Bali’s resident master yogi. There’s also plenty of experiences on offer to help guests get out and explore the island, such as waterfall treks, hikes and more.
Villa rates start at just under Dh1,500 per night, excluding taxes, and there's an opening offer running for bookings made before June 30. jumeirah.com
Bali tops world's 20 best beach resorts ranking — in pictures
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1. Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak, Bali -
2. Phi Beach, Sardinia, Italy -
3. Blue Marlin, Cala Jondal, Ibiza. AP Images -
4. Le Club 55 in Saint-Tropez, France. Getty Images -
5. Scorpios, Mykonos, Greece -
6. La Brisa, Canggu, Bali -
7. Ocean club, Marbella, Spain -
8. Sundays Beach Club, Uluwatu, Bali -
9. Nikki Beach Marbella, Spain -
10. Ku De Ta, Seminyak, Bali -
11. Noa Beach Club, Novalja, Croatia -
12. Marina Beach Club, Valencia, Spain -
13. Sunset Ashram, Ibiza, Spain -
14. Saadiyat Beach Club, Abu Dhabi -
15. Shimmy Beach Club, Cape Town, South Africa -
16. View from Nammos, Mykonos, Greece -
17. Single Fin, Uluwatu, Bali -
18. Cotton Beach Club, Ibiza, Spain -
19. Paloma Beach, Cap Ferrat, France -
20. Classico Beach Club, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
