DENPASAR: Despite visitor numbers from Australia to Bali being well below their peaks, Air Paradise International is still keen to resume services between Indonesia and Australia.
The airline faces several stiff hurdles before it can hope to fly again, not least the need to convince the Australian travel trade that it can sustain a viable service.
Under its previous ownership, Air Paradise folded in November 2005 stranding passengers in Bali and leaving travel agents in Australia to sort out the mess.
The new owners of Air Paradise claim they still have valid permits and licences to operate the carrier although those claims are likely to be tested before operations can restart.
The new owners have been touting Air Paradise to potential investors, and are now focussing their efforts on the government of Bali, which is being offered a 51% share in the airline for approximately US$16 million
API Director, Putu Oka Semadi, told the Indonesian language Bisnis Bali, “we are waiting for an answer from the provincial government of Bali who are still in the process of studying our share offer.”
The dilemma for the government in Bali is whether to commit public funds to a private venture and risk a huge outcry if the operation fails to deliver.
by Ian Jarrett
