Yet another airline will launch direct daily services between Perth and Bali as the route nears breaking point.
Indonesian carrier Batavia Air will become the sixth airline to ply the route and position itself as a “value added” airline, targeting families and “young adults.”
Pacific Blue, Jetstar, AirAsia, Strategic Airlines and Garuda all operate between Western Australia and Bali.
Fares will be released soon with talks the airline saying “discussion is currently underway with the travel industry”.
Batavia has also revealed plans to operate to Sydney and Melbourne.
The Perth launch, on a date yet to be announced, follows successful bilateral air services talks between Indonesian and Australian Air Transport Authorities.
BTV director, commercial, Hasudungan Pandiangan said in a statement: “We are so pleased that we can now offer our services to the Western Australian market. Bali is always a popular destination for Western Australians and we are proud to finally service Perth in our network.”
The air services agreement allows airlines from each country an additional 4000 seats per week. Batavia will operate Airbus A319 services to Perth and new A330-200 between Bali and Sydney and Melbourne.
The carrier, formed in 2000 by former travel agent Yudiawan Tansari, operates a fleet of 40 aircraft and services 40 destinations in Indonesia. Its international network includes Singapore, Malaysia, China and recently launched Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
Flight will arrive in Perth at 7.05am and depart to Bali an hour later, arriving shortly before mid-day.