Garuda increases airline capacity from Australia to Bali

Garuda Indonesia has increased its capacity from Australia to Bali. The move comes after the financially challenged airline received a letter of credit for $150m from the House of Representatives.

Garuda Indonesia’s Regional Manager, South West Pacific, Mr Suranto Yitnopawiro said “We are planning very positively for a resurgence of interest in Bali that is occurring worldwide and in Australia. We have no doubt whatsoever that Bali will ultimately resume its place as Australia’s Number One overseas holiday destination and, as this happens, we want to ensure that we have the capacity in place to meet the demand .” I think that is a smart move. Bali will be a desirable destination for years to come, with top class hotels, spas, restaurants, surfing, villas, great weather, unique culture, nightlife. The Indonesian government should do more to preserve the unique nature of the island and promote it overseas.

Garuda’s plan is to increase their flight schedules by 28% with details as follows:

-Sydney: Expansion of capacity by 50 per cent, with two dedicated services Sydney-Denpasar-Sydney per week (Saturday & Sunday), a flight shared with Brisbane on Monday and a fourth flight shared with Melbourne on Thursday
– Melbourne: Resumption of Melbourne’s dedicated, non-shared flight on a Sunday plus the introduction of a Thursday departure via Sydney to Bali. These two moves will provide an overall increase in capacity of 25 per cent, with four flights a week operating from Melbourne.
– Perth: More than 30 per cent additional capacity from the new 737 800 ‘s, which will initially be configured with 180 all economy seats, up 48 seats on the current 737-400s. In addition to the capacity increase, the addition of Jakarta to Perth operations will open up new leisure and business markets.
– Adelaide: Reintroduction of a second service to Bali from Adelaide, via Melbourne on a Friday while the Tuesday flight will become non-stop from Adelaide to Bali. The inbound Friday service from Bali is non-stop to Adelaide.

This a great news and as long as there is no more craziness, the tourist industry should bounce back strongly.