Bali-based start-up Air Paradise International is again preparing to inaugurate services as travel to the Indonesian resort island slowly starts to pick up after October's terrorist bombings.
Air Paradise reopened for bookings early in January ahead of its planned mid-February launch of services to Australia. The carrier says its highly competitive launch prices "are sure to significantly increase passenger numbers and assist in the island's recovery of its most valuable commodity - tourism".
The airline, which is being established by a local businessman, originally intended to launch services late in October. It deferred its launch after the 12 October nightclub bombings on the island that killed nearly 200 people.
Demand has slowly been recovering, however, particularly since carriers such as Singapore Airlines began offering cut-price travel packages.
Air Paradise will be Bali's first international airline. It plans to serve Perth four-times-weekly from 16 February and Melbourne thrice-weekly from 18 February using an ex-Singapore Airlines Airbus A310-300. It will also operate domestic services to Jakarta. Flights to Taipei and Seoul are planned after the arrival of a second A310.
Source: Airline Business
