AirAsia X is giving Virgin Australia and Jetstar a run for their money on flights to Indonesia, with a second route from Australia to Bali.
The airline announced this week it will launch direct flights from Sydney to Denpasar, with the first flight departing on 17 October this year.
The second route comes less than a week after Virgin Australia announced it was chasing the low-cost market between Australia and Indonesia by deploying Tigerair on flights to Bali.
Prior to Virgin’s announcement, Jetstar was the only budget airline flying multiple routes between the two destinations.
Now in less than two weeks, Jetstar has two major competitors.
Indonesia AirAsia X will commence services with five weekly flights between Sydney and the popular Indonesian island getaway.
Flights will depart Sydney to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
An Airbus A330-300 aircraft will operate the route with a seating capacity of 377. The configuration will be AirAsia X’s standard configuration of 365 economy seats and 12 Premium flatbed seats.
AirAsia X Commercial Manager Australia and New Zealand Stuart Myerscough said the additional route increases access to Bali, an important hub for AirAsia.
“This important connectivity will increase over time and provide a range of travel choices to Bali and beyond.”
Stuart Myerscough, AirAsia X Commercial Manager Australia and New Zealand
According to Sydney Airport figures, 276,000 passengers departed from Sydney to Bali over the last 12 months.
Gateway’s Managing Director, Kerrie Mather, said she’s looking forward to welcoming greater choice and convenience for travellers.
“Indonesia AirAsia X also provides a welcome boost in low cost capacity servicing rapidly growing Asian markets, with considerable inbound potential for Sydney and Australia.”
Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport MD and CEO
AirAsia X currently flies between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast.
Indonesia AirAsia serves Bali from Perth and Darwin, whilst Indonesia AirAsia X commenced flights between Melbourne and Bali in March this year.
