Australian Airlines Start Melbourne To Bali Services

Sydney, 27 June 2003 Newsroom

DIRECT MELBOURNE-BALI SERVICES TAKE OFF
Victorians will have access to non-stop flights into Bali for the first time in eight months with the departure tonight of Australian Airlines’ inaugural flight.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Andrea Staines said public support for the service had been overwhelming with all seats on tonight’s flight – as well as next week’s flight – sold out and subsequent services filling fast.

“The flight departs from Melbourne for Bali at 7pm for the next month giving holiday-makers the opportunity to head straight to the airport after work.

“For many people this will be the first time they have travelled on our full service, single class international carrier so we look forward to welcoming them aboard.”

From 25 July, this non-stop Melbourne Bali service will be complemented by three services per week via Sydney. The four weekly services will depart on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays (non-stop from Melbourne) and Sundays.

Ms Staines said the airline would bring the “red centre” to the island of Bali with its signature ochre colouring recognised internationally as the colour of the heart of Australia.

“The popularity of Bali as a destination has not diminished among Australians,” she said. “There is a real affinity between the people of Australia and Indonesia with Bali, in particular, renowned for the warmth and charm of its people, its beach resorts and a place for fun in the sun.

“We are confident our flights will make a valuable contribution to the recovery of the tourism industry in Bali, with the ability to bring in more than 1,000 visitors each week from next month when all four services are operating.

“Bali is our 11th destination since we began flying on 27 October 2002 and we will become a familiar sight in the skies over Bali in coming months.”

Editor’s Note: From 5pm today, Balinese dancers and gamelan music will be playing at Melbourne’s International Airport as passengers arrive to check in for the flight.

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Just thought i would add this article taken of http://www.australianairlines.com.au . This is the first major expansion that the Qantas Leisure Subsidiary since it started flying on 27 October 2002