AirAsia Indonesia, a budget-friendly airline, is setting its sights on Cairns for the very first time.
Flights connecting the Queensland location with Bali will start August 14th, 2024. The route will see three weekly flights between Bali’s Denpasar Airport and Cairns, in the heart of Tropical North Queensland.
Bali remains a perennial favorite travel destination with Australians, and the new route unlocks more flexible travel possibilities for travelers.
First Flights into Far North Queensland
Veranita Yosephine, CEO of AirAsia Indonesia, expressed her delight about venturing into Far North Queensland.
She highlighted the many reasons why Cairns is a dream destination for travelers from Bali and across Asia.
From the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests to the unique culture and local seafood, Cairns offers an unforgettable experience.
But the good news doesn’t stop there. Yosephine emphasizes that Asia is a top travel choice for Australians, offering a blend of unique experiences at wallet-friendly prices.
While Bali remains a beloved leisure destination, AirAsia aims to introduce travelers to the many hidden gems Asia has to offer.
Residents of Cairns and surrounding areas like Townsville and Mackay can now take advantage of this new route. AirAsia’s attractive fares make Bali an easily accessible escape.
Plus, with a quick stopover in Bali, passengers can connect to over 100 destinations within the AirAsia network. This opens doors to key AirAsia hubs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Opening up Indonesia
Indonesia itself boasts a wealth of emerging travel destinations waiting to be explored by Queenslanders.
These include the world-famous Labuan Bajo (home to the Komodo Dragon), the surfer’s paradise of Tanjung Setia Surf Beach in Lampung. It also connects with the new Indonesian capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan.
This new route also serves as a budget-friendly gateway to exciting adventures across Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore. Additionally the Philippines, India, China, and many more popular destinations within the AirAsia network become accessible.
With initial plans for three weekly services, AirAsia anticipates expanding the number of flights in the future based on passenger demand.
Support from Industry Leaders
This exciting development has garnered strong support from various figures. Indonesian Consul General in Sydney, Vedi Kurnia Buana, applauds AirAsia Indonesia’s efforts to bolster tourism and enhance connectivity between Indonesia and Australia.
He highlights the strong interest of Australian travelers in Indonesia, particularly Bali. Buana expresses confidence that this new route will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. It offers Cairns tourists the opportunity to explore beyond Bali.
Queensland’s Tourism Minister, Michael Healy, echoed the enthusiasm. He sees the arrival of AirAsia Indonesia as a significant milestone, attracting even more visitors to the stunning Far North region.
This collaboration with Asia’s leading low-cost carrier reinforces Queensland’s position as Australia’s premier tourism destination.
Cairns Airport CEO, Richard Barker, is thrilled to welcome AirAsia’s new services in August. He emphasizes the benefits for both locals (more flights to Bali) and international travelers (affordable one-stop travel to Tropical North Queensland from major Southeast Asian nations).
These flights will provide direct connections from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and various Indonesian cities like Jakarta and Surabaya, all via Denpasar.
The new service is estimated to inject over 28,000 seats into the Cairns market within the first year. Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, welcomes this development, viewing it as a key to connecting Australians with emerging Southeast Asian tourism hubs.
He anticipates the route’s appeal to travelers from Europe, the UK, and Asia, further boosting tourism in Tropical North Queensland, a popular destination for younger travelers and group tours.
AirAsia boasts a vast network encompassing seven airlines under its brand, flying to over 130 incredible locations across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
