Bali is now within easier reach of a whole lot of North Queenslanders after Jakarta-based airline, AirAsia Indonesia touched down in Cairns for the first time on Thursday.
With its arrival, AirAsia Indonesia becomes the first overseas low-cost carrier and just the second Asian airline to fly to Cairns year-round.
The airline also becomes only the second to link North Queensland and Bali with a non-stop service.
Offering over 28,000 seats in the first year, AirAsia Indonesia will operate three services a week on the Cairns-Bali route.
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said the NQ hub was excited at the carrier’s arrival, calling AirAsia “one of the world’s most recognisable airline brands”.
“This new service will offer immense benefits to our region and many key industries,” he remarked.
“Providing seamless, affordable connections to Cairns from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and domestic Indonesia will bolster visitation and business opportunities from these major, populous markets.
“Bali is also a highly popular destination for locals, and we know this new service has been well-received by holidaymakers across Tropical North Queensland.”
Queensland’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) helped fund the flights.
“We are thrilled to touch down in Cairns for the first time ever today, with great value services for local residents to Bali and onto over 130 destinations on the AirAsia Group network,” AirAsia Indonesia CEO Veranita Yosephine said on Thursday.
The airline boss expects the new flights to boost two-way tourism.
“We see great demand, not only for this new direct route. Everyone loves Bali but at the same time we see many opportunities to promote the incredible tourism highlights in the far north of Queensland to our international guests like the Great Barrier Reef – one of the seven wonders of the world and to visit the amazing world-renowned rainforests,” Yosephine remarked.
“Conversely, Indonesia and Asia in general continues to be a leisure favourite region for Australians wanting an affordable and unique experience.
“We also invite guests from Queensland to visit and enjoy the beauty of Indonesia. From the world-famous Labuan Bajo (Komodo Island) – home of the Komodo Dragon, and Tanjung Setia Surf-Beach in Lampung, to the new capital of Indonesia, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan, there is something for everyone.”
New markets
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the arrival of AirAsia Indonesia allows the destination to tap into new Asian markets.
“The urban Asian middle-class is expanding rapidly and these flights will allow Cairns to tap into new source markets,” he stated.
“The route will also be attractive for travellers connecting from Europe and the United Kingdom, particularly the youth and group series markets wanting a stopover in Indonesia.”
In addition, Queensland Tourism Minister and Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the new service would help boost the number of international students from across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
“Visitors will be able to plan an extended stay in Queensland and discover just how much this beautiful state has to offer,” he noted.
75 years
The Indonesian Consul General in Sydney Vedi Kurnia Buana said the new route reflected a strong link between the two countries, “a bond that we proudly celebrate this year as we mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Australia”.
“In 2023, approximately 1.37 million Australian tourists visited Indonesia, underscoring the significant interest in our diverse and beautiful nation,” he remarked.
To mark the new service, AirAsia Indonesia is offering special discounts on one-way fares including:
- Cairns-Bali from AU$159
- Cairns-Singapore from AU$352
- Cairns-Kuala Lumpur from AU$369
- Cairns-Bangkok from AU$439
