Bali Bound: Russian Tourist Numbers Skyrocket as Direct Flights Take Off

The tropical allure of Bali is proving irresistible to Russian travelers, with passenger traffic on the direct Moscow-to-Denpasar route quadrupling in 2025 compared to the previous year. Russia’s permanent representative to ASEAN, Evgeny Zagaynov, shared the figures in an interview ahead of the anniversary Russia–ASEAN summit in Kazan.

According to Zagaynov, nearly 92,000 passengers flew the route in 2025, a sharp increase from 2024. In just the first four months of this year, more than 33,000 people used the direct service. The diplomat noted that the growing air link is fueling a boom in tourism between Russia and Indonesia, with Bali remaining the top draw for Russian visitors.

Aeroflot resumed direct flights between Moscow and Denpasar in September 2024, marking the first regular air service between the two countries since the pandemic pause in 2020. The route has been a hit, and Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, previously stated that Moscow is ready to support airlines and tour operators in opening additional destinations.

The surge comes as the Russia–ASEAN business forum gets underway in Kazan on June 17, with RIA Novosti serving as the official information partner. For now, Bali’s beaches and culture are clearly winning over a growing number of Russian sun-seekers.