Promote your company to the global vertical aviation industry through the VAI Member Spotlight, a free benefit for VAI member companies. Want to be featured? If you’re not already enjoying the many benefits our members receive, join VAI today! VAI Member Spotlight: Fly Bali, Indonesia Husband-and-wife team helps expand helicopter services around the island nation. By Jen Boyer Of all the amazing places to fly in the world, the islands in Southeast Asia hold something special, and helicopters are essential to reach many of them. In 2018, the Indonesian island of Bali welcomed more than 15.8 million domestic and international visitors. However, large tourist destinations like the US island of Hawaii and Dubai, United Arab Emirates—which had lower numbers of tourist visits that year—operated more helicopters than Bali. Former oil-and-gas pilot Harriko Fesfusi and aviation marketing director Marina Trudy decided to do something about that. Expanding Island Flights The husband-and-wife team founded Fly Bali in April 2019. Through their collection of offerings—including helicopter tours, executive charters, inter-island transport, photo and video flights, and custom trips such as helicopter picnics and marriage proposals—the owners are aiming to expand general aviation services in Bali and Indonesia. “We hope to reach a broader community—not only the upper class—but also for the middle class to experience their vacations in Bali in an exclusive and luxurious setting,” Fesfusi says. “With the presence of Fly Bali, we aim to become the driving force for the aviation industry in Indonesia.” Bell and Robinson Fleet The company operates Robinson R66, Bell 206L-4, and Bell 505 helicopters. Since its founding, Fly Bali has expanded to three heliports—in Ungasan, Pesanggaran, and at Mason Elephant Park in Taro. It now serves eastern areas of Indonesia, including Labuan Bajo and Sumba Island, which previously lacked helicopter services. Fly Bali also offers fixed-wing charter services. Giving Back The company’s owners are dedicated to their community and are looking for opportunities to do more. Fly Bali supported the BTR Ultra 2024, a trail running event involving a series of races. The event features various race categories, ranging from short to long distances, with routes that traverse forests, mountains, beaches, and other natural landscapes. Fly Bali supplied helicopters for the event’s production team and crew, capturing live reports from the air. The company also collaborated with organizers to give prizes to two Instagram participants. Each winner received a 12-minute helicopter tour for the winner and a guest. Additionally, Fly Bali offered air medical helicopter services for the event. Jen Boyer is a journalist and marketing communicator specializing in aviation. She holds commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings in helicopters and a private rating in airplanes.
