The crowded Perth-Bali air market is about to heat up even more with a new entrant planning services.
Indonesia/s Batik Air says it has been granted an air operator’s certificate from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority and could start services before the year-end.
"Yes, the target is December 2016 or January 2017. We are just trying to manage the airline route’s administration," said Edward Sirait, president of parent company Lion Air Group.
Batik Air said it is eyeing Sydney and Melbourne for further expansion once it establishes itself on the Denpasar-Perth route.
The carrier flies to Singapore and plans routes to Shenzhen and Guangzhou next year.
Fellow Lion Air subsidiary Malindo Air also serves Perth via Kuala Lumpur.
