AirAsia pulls out of Darwin to Bali route

AIRASIA has pulled all services out of Darwin, leaving Top End travellers with only one airline flying to and from Bali

AIRASIA has pulled all services out of Darwin. PICTURE: Supplied

AIRASIA has pulled all services out of Darwin, leaving Top End travellers with only one airline flying to and from Bali.

In a statement released to the NT News, the airline said the route scrapping was because of a restructure.

“AirAsia Indonesia will suspend its service connecting Bali with Darwin as part of a network restructuring aimed at improving operational efficiency,” the spokesman said.

“The final date of service for Bali-Darwin route is January 28, 2018.

“AirAsia Indonesia would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the suspension of this route.”

Jetstar will now be the only airline servicing the route between Darwin and Bali.

The bad news for Darwin comes just a day after China’s Donghai Airlines announced it would begin direct flights between Shenzhen and Darwin within the first six months of next year.

The AirAsia cancellations come after the embattled airline was questioned over its illegal charging of a passenger movement charge to children earlier this year.

Revealed by the NT News in September, AirAsia was caught out charging Darwin children an extra $60 for a government charge they were not required to pay.

The airline identified 9700 flyers who may have been incorrectly charged the $60, and issued at least $500,000 in refunds.

AirAsia also came under fire from customers early this year when it changed its scheduled flight times to the middle of the night.

Previously having flights midafternoon, the airline then changed to service Darwin at about 1am.

It’s understood a certain number of flight schedules are determined by airports, not airlines.

AirAsia has offered three options to customers who had already purchased flights after January 28.

These include a full refund, a credit account for travel with AirAsia (to be used within 180 days), or to move to a flight earlier in January.

Anyone with queries is urged to contact the airline on [e-mail]