AirAsia’s inaugural service from Bali touched down at Melbourne Airport this morning, bringing with it a new low-cost way for Victorians to access the Australia’s number one international holiday hotspot.
The new service will operate daily between Melbourne and Bali using an Airbus A320 adding an extra 130,000 seats annually to what is the most competitive route flown from Melbourne Airport.
AirAsia becomes the sixth airline operating to Bali from Melbourne Airport with the new carrier set offering some of the cheapest fares in the market.
Indonesia is the number one international destination for Victorians, with more than 1.04 million passengers travelling between Melbourne and Bali in 2025.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said AirAsia’s low-cost offering coupled with the carrier’s onward connections will make it an attractive offering.
“Bali is the destination of choice for Victorians, but there’s more to Indonesia than just Bali and AirAsia’s extensive network will allow travellers to explore beyond Bali,” he said.
“Even though it’s such a popular market we are still seeing passenger numbers between Melbourne and Bali increase by more than 13 per cent year-on-year, which highlights the appetite for new services.
“The beauty of Bali lies in the fact it’s a six-hour flight from Melbourne that often costs less to get to than domestic destinations such as Perth, making it a really attractive offering for budget conscious travellers and families.
“We’re seeing the benefits of more competition in these international markets flowing through to travellers in the way of cheaper airfares and more choice, which is a great outcome for everyone.”
Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman, General Manager of Indonesia AirAsia, said the launch reflects strong demand for Bali and reiterated the airline’s commitment to Australia, and bringing affordable travel options for Australians.
“Bali continues to be the most popular international holiday destination for Australians, and we’re excited to give Victorians another great value option when planning their next escape,” he said.
“This new service marks Indonesia AirAsia’s first entry into Melbourne and supports our goal of providing greater, more affordable and flexible access between Indonesia and Australia.
“It also strengthens social and economic ties between our two countries, supports tourism growth, and creates more opportunities for travellers to experience the rich culture, cuisine and natural beauty of both destinations.”