In a groundbreaking move, Indonesia AirAsia has launched its inaugural flights on the highly-anticipated Jakarta-Perth route, establishing itself as the only airline to offer direct flights between these two bustling destinations. The strategic launch has been made possible through the collaboration and support of the Western Australian Government, specifically Tourism Western Australia (TWA) and Perth Airport. With an initial frequency of four times a week, this direct service aims to connect and accommodate the growing demand of over 1,400 weekly visitors seeking seamless travel between Jakarta and Perth.

The Indonesia-Australia travel corridor has always been a favourite among globetrotters for numerous reasons, including the convenient flight times and the allure of both destinations for shopping, dining, adventure, beaches, and education. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia reports a remarkable surge in the number of Indonesian students choosing Australia as their educational destination, with the figure already surpassing 20,000 this year alone, a significant increase from 15,000 in 2022.

Eddy Krismeidi Sumawilaga, the Head of Indonesia Affairs and Policy at Indonesia AirAsia, expressed his excitement and optimism about the new route. Acknowledging the tremendous support from tourism and airport partners, he said, “We are grateful for the collaborative efforts that have brought this new service to fruition. The response to our inaugural flights from Jakarta to Perth has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 70% occupancy. Furthermore, the return flight from Perth to Jakarta is already exceeding 80% occupancy, indicating a promising future for this route.”

Sumawilaga continued, “We anticipate this new Jakarta-Perth route to be highly popular among leisure travelers eager to explore more of Indonesia, as well as Indonesians seeking business opportunities, leisure activities, educational pursuits, and visits to friends and family in Perth. Additionally, this route will open up a gateway for Australians to discover Indonesia’s renowned tourist destinations, including the five Super Priority Destinations: Borobudur in Java, Danau Toba in Sumatera, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Likupang in Sulawesi, and Mandalika in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. With the unwavering support of Tourism Western Australia and Perth Airport, we are confident that this new service connecting the Indonesian capital with Western Australia will continue to experience strong demand.”

The Honorable Roger Cook MLA, Western Australian Minister of Tourism, emphasized the significance of the maiden Indonesia AirAsia flight, stating, “Today’s inaugural flight marks a pivotal moment in strengthening the bond between these neighboring tourist hotspots. Indonesia is an important visitor market for Western Australia, ranking as our 10th largest international market in terms of visitors in 2022. We are committed to working closely with Indonesia AirAsia to capitalize on the opportunities arising from this new flight route, further solidifying Western Australia’s reputation as the Western Gateway of the nation.”

Kate Holsgrove, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Perth Airport, expressed enthusiasm for the new non-stop service, citing its immense potential for Western Australian businesses, education institutions, and tourism. With the initial flight frequency of four times a week, the service will deliver an estimated 75,000 new seats to the Perth market. Holsgrove also highlighted the opportunity to attract students from Jakarta, which would significantly contribute to Western Australia’s position as Indonesia’s 12th largest trading partner.

The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Perth, Listiana Operananta, echoed her support for the new route, emphasizing the shared characteristics between Jakarta and Perth. “With just a 4 to 5-hour flight between the two cities, Jakarta and Perth have much in common. Through the direct route, we encourage more West Australians to explore the diverse destinations across Indonesia, and vice versa. The potential for further exploration is immense.”

Operated by the A320 aircraft with a seating capacity of 180, the Jakarta-Perth flights offer a comfortable travel experience, with a flight duration of approximately 4.5 hours. The service is scheduled four times a week, and ticket fares are available for purchase starting from AUD179/IDR1,299,000.

As Asia’s leading low-cost carrier, AirAsia is renowned for its extensive network, vast fleet, and competitive fares across Asia and the Asia Pacific region. The airline was recently honoured with the prestigious title of Best Low-Cost Carrier in Asia at the Airline Excellence Awards, organized by industry experts at AirlineRatings.com. This accolade further solidifies AirAsia’s commitment to democratizing air travel and making flying affordable, perfectly encapsulated in their motto, “Now Everyone Can Fly.”

AirAsia also emphasizes implementing health protocols for all travellers, following the latest government regulations and travel requirements.

For more information about the new Jakarta-Perth route and to book your tickets, visit the official Indonesia AirAsia website.

Written by: Christine Nguyen

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