AirAsia has launched a four-times-a-week service between Perth and Lombok, with the inaugural flight touching down on Sunday night.
With fares starting at just $99 one way, the flights are set to be popular with Aussie tourists keen to sample the destination known as “the new Bali”.
Dendy Kurniawan, AirAsia Indonesia CEO, said the flights would introduce healthy competition for the region and an additional option to much-loved Bali.
“Blissful beaches, top surfing and dive sites, and picturesque mountains are now easily accessible for Australians and I encourage those looking to book their next holiday to consider Lombok,” he said.
Perth Airport CEO Kevin Brown said the new service consolidated AirAsia’s position in the Perth market by adding more than 74,000 seats annually.
“AirAsia has been in the vanguard of a low-cost carrier revolution that has delivered more affordable and accessible travel options for many Western Australians,” Mr Brown said.
“Western Australians have a great propensity for travel and Indonesia represents Perth Airport’s largest outbound market as it offers an easily accessible and attractive destination for travellers.
“This new service also provides an opportunity to grow the Indonesian inbound tourism market for Perth and Western Australia.”
Indonesia represents WA’s eighth largest visitor market. Last year 31,000 Indonesian visitors arrived, injecting more than $56 million into the WA economy.
AirAsia operates 25 flights per week between Perth, Australia and Indonesia, which includes Bali, and Lombok.