Canberra Airport will soon have a second international link, with the launch of a new Batik Air service between Australia’s capital and Bali(Denpasar).
Commencing 14 June 2024, the new nonstop flights will operate three times per week and mark just the second international service to fly out of Canberra post-pandemic, following the launch of Fiji Airways flights to Nadi (Fiji) in June 2023 (read our review of the first CBR-NAN flight).
Canberra Airport Head of Aviation Michael Thomson said the hub was thrilled to welcome the new full-service airline, which operates as part of Indonesia’s Lion Group.
“Bali is an amazing destination that blends culture, nature, and adventure and appeals to all types of travellers,” he said.
“We are also excited about the opportunity to connect Canberra to Asia through Batik’s extensive network.”
Batik Air Group Strategy Director Chandran Rama Muthy said the new service will provide travellers with easy access to one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations and beyond.
“Our objective is not only to attract travellers from Canberra to Bali but also to unveil exciting opportunities for exploration in Indonesia’s diverse secondary destinations served by Lion Air,” he said.
“We are dedicated to enhancing connectivity and making travel more accessible for passengers from Australia and Indonesia, and this new route reaffirms our dedication to that objective.”
Canberra will be the sixth international port that Batik Air links to Bali, in another big step forward in the evolution of the Aussie hub.
“The ACT Government welcomes this investment from Batik Air Service in the Canberra-Bali route,” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.
“A direct flight between Bali and Canberra will greatly benefit holiday seekers from Canberran and the region.
“The route also presents a great opportunity to connect the Canberra region to South-East Asia for leisure, trade and education.
“The ACT Government welcomes Canberra Airport’s efforts to make it easier and cheaper to visit Canberra.”
Among the secondary destinations Batik Air hopes to lure Canberrans to beyond Bali are Labuan Bajo, Lombok, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Makassar and Manado, which are all serviced by Lion Group carriers.
More details about the service will be given on 12 February at the official announcement of the new flights, which will be attended by airline, airport and government representatives including Thomson, Barr, Muthy and Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron.
In July last year, Byron told Karryon the airport expected an influx of overseas flights to start within six months. So this announcement could be the first of many.
Read our review of Canberra Airport, where every international traveller gets ‘lounge’ access.
