Direct Flights To Bali Delayed Over Sanctions Concerns, Says Russian Envoy

JAKARTA, July 6 (Bernama-Sputnik) -- Direct flights to Bali have not yet been launched due to concerns among Indonesian companies and banks about potential secondary sanctions from Western countries, Sergey Tolchenov told Sputnik in his first interview after being appointed as Russia's new ambassador to Indonesia.

Tolchenov said the next step to resume direct flights, interrupted several years ago, should be made by Indonesia.

“On the one hand, our Indonesian partners really talk about their interest in resuming direct flights. On the other hand, no practical steps are seen yet to create conditions for flights between Russia and Indonesia to resume,” the ambassador said.

Tolchenov said Russian air carriers have already expressed their readiness to send their aircraft to Indonesia.

“The entire issue now rests on the fact that the local side cannot yet create the conditions necessary for their reception and servicing. We are talking about both fueling and the ability to make payments - for fuel, other airport services, including ticket sales. There is a feeling that Indonesian companies and banks that are involved in this process are still afraid of secondary Western sanctions,” he said.

Tolchenov also said Moscow is waiting for Jakarta to suggest specific steps to resolve these issues.

"I am convinced that after this the issue of resuming direct flights can be transferred to a practical level, and we will again see planes of Russian airlines in Bali,” the diplomat said.

Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said in an interview with Sputnik in June that he hopes for a quick resumption of direct flights with Russia, despite the difficulties that have arisen.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK