In an exciting move, Batik Air Malaysia is set to relaunch the longest narrowbody route to and from New Zealand, with travellers able to book seats now for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland via Perth from August 24th.
Flights between Perth and Auckland will take just under seven hours, making it the longest narrowbody flight to and from New Zealand, while the leg from Perth to Kuala Lumpur will clock in at under six hours.
Currently, Air New Zealand operates the Perth to Auckland route in collaboration with Spanish airline WAMOS Air, with an A330 servicing the route until late October. Post this period; Air New Zealand is expected to deploy its Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The question remains whether Qantas will resume its seasonal direct flight from Perth to Auckland, which was operational pre-pandemic.
Flying Batik Air Malaysia
Previously known as Malindo Air and currently rebranding, Batik Air Malaysia is an offshoot of Indonesia’s Lion Air Group.
Priding itself on being a full-service airline, Batik Air Malaysia offers business and economy class, coupled with in-flight entertainment and meals. Its service quality is acknowledged with a 3-star rating from Skytrax.
Return fares from Perth to Auckland start from AUD $1,029 in Economy, including a 20kg free baggage allowance and AUD $2,729 in Business, with a 40kg free baggage allowance.
Perth to Auckland flights will depart daily at 1805 local time, arriving in Auckland the following morning at 0445.
Batik Air Malaysia also flies to Bali from Perth as well as from Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
For more, head to www.malindoair.com/au
Perth to Geraldton gets more capacity
Perth Airport has also announced that Nexus Airlines would commence regional services from Perth to Geraldton out of the Airport’s regional terminal T2 in July.
“Perth Airport forms a critical link to Western Australia’s regions, and we look forward to working with Nexus Airlines to further connect Perth and deliver more regional routes,” said acting Perth Airport CEO Kate Holsgrove.
Nexus Airlines’ Geraldton-Perth service passengers will also have access to the State Government’s popular Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme – which promotes travel for those living in regional WA.
The Perth-Geraldton route will be serviced by a Dash 8 —400, which seats up to 76 passengers and adds nearly 95,000 seats annually.
The airline, which Aviair owns, will start operating services in July. However, it aims to use the service twice daily, Monday to Friday, and one service a day over the weekend from August.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said, “This is a game changer for WA tourism. Nexus Airlines will bring competition to regional WA giving both locals and visitors new air routes and better services.”
For more, head to nexusairlines.com.au
