Ningbo Lishe International Airport. [Photo/Yongpai App]

Ningbo will launch a new direct air link to Indonesia on March 5, opening flights to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.

Operated by Indonesia's Batik Air, the service marks the first time Ningbo Lishe International Airport has connected directly with Manado.

The inaugural flight will be followed by additional round-trip services on March 12 and 26, before shifting to a weekly Thursday schedule from April to support stable, long‑term operations.

The outbound flight departs Ningbo at 11:00 pm and arrives in Manado at 4:10 am local time, with the return leg leaving at 4:50 pm and landing in Ningbo at 10:00 pm. With a travel time of just over five hours, the route significantly shortens travel to eastern Indonesia.

Manado is a key economic center in eastern Indonesia, with strong potential in marine fisheries, infrastructure development, and tourism investment. The new route fills a regional gap in Ningbo's international network and provides local companies with a faster, more convenient channel for overseas cooperation and market expansion.