AirAsia has officially announced the launch of a new flight service connecting Darwin and Bali. The route is set to commence on 22nd March 2025.
Known for its budget-friendly fares, AirAsia is a favorite among Australian and Indonesian travelers. This new service will provide over 1,000 seats weekly, with ticket prices starting at just AUD 189.
In a statement on the AirAsia website, Veranita Josephine, CEO of Indonesia AirAsia, highlighted the airline's commitment to offering better value and convenience. She said that Bali is now the airline’s largest hub due to increasing demand. This new route aims to cater to Australians' love for Bali while enhancing connections across AirAsia's extensive network of over 130 destinations.
Passengers from Darwin can travel to cities like Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Komodo Island for fares starting at under AUD 300. Josephine also expressed optimism about the inbound tourism potential. Visitors from Asia will now have easy access to the Northern Territory's unique attractions, including Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land. She thanked the Northern Territory Government and Airport Development Group for supporting the initiative.
The Darwin-Bali service will operate three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The outbound flight, QZ 540, will depart Bali at 11:40 am, reaching Darwin at 3:55 pm. The return flight, QZ 541, will leave Darwin at 4:35 pm, arriving in Bali at 5:55 pm.
Growing Travel Demand
Sandra de Kock, Executive General Manager at Airport Development Group, emphasized Darwin residents' strong desire for more Bali travel options. She highlighted Bali’s enduring popularity among locals and anticipated a surge in demand with AirAsia’s return.
Bali Airport’s recent data underscores the popularity of Australia as a key market. Between January and July 2024, 58% of international passengers traveling through Bali Airport were on Australia-Bali routes. With over 40 daily flights between Bali and Australia, demand is expected to remain robust in 2025.
The route's long-term success is crucial, especially following the suspension of BatikAir’s Canberra-Bali service in late 2024. Despite challenges, AirAsia’s Darwin-Bali route is positioned to thrive.
As Bali transitions into its low season, peak tourist arrivals are expected to resume during the Eid al-Fitr festival in late March, aligning with AirAsia’s launch of this service.