Indonesian airline TransNusa will launch daily direct flights between Melbourne and Bali from Oct 19, adding a new air link between Australia and Indonesia while providing connections to other destinations through Bali.
The airline has opened ticket sales for the new service, with introductory fares starting at A$299 for basic seats and A$699 for its newly introduced Premium Plus class.
TransNusa said the new route is part of its international expansion and will also allow passengers from Australia to connect onwards to destinations in Indonesia and across Asia.
The airline will operate an overnight and morning schedule, with Flight 8B 18 departing Bali at 8.45pm and arriving at Melbourne Airport at 5.40am the following day. The return flight, 8B 19, will depart Melbourne at 6.25am and arrive in Bali at 9.40am.
The carrier said passengers can use Bali as a transit point for destinations including Wakatobi, Manado, Bima and Lombok, as well as Singapore, Phuket and Guangzhou.
“The launch of the Melbourne-Bali route represents a monumental step forward in our international expansion strategy,” said TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Bernard Francis.
“This new route introduction marks a defining milestone in our international growth strategy. It strengthens Bali’s position as a premier gateway between Australia and Asia, while giving travellers a compelling new choice that combines connectivity, value and a distinctly premium travel experience.”
The launch also marks the introduction of TransNusa’s first Premium Plus service, which offers priority benefits and enhanced baggage allowance with 20 seats available per flight.
TransNusa said the new service builds on its existing international network, which includes Singapore, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perth and Bangkok.
The airline said it had secured a 20% market share in Perth within 12 months of launching its services there, operating 21 scheduled flights a week.
Tickets for the Melbourne-Bali service are available through TransNusa and authorised travel booking platforms.
