More than 40,000 on Cairns-Bali flights in first year

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MORE than 40,000 people have flown between Cairns and Bali since Jetstar launched direct services a year ago today.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive David Hall said the passenger numbers were as predicted.

“We expected there would be a strong response to our flights to Bali and since we launched them more than 40,000 locals have snapped up our low fares for fun and affordable overseas holidays,” he said. “They’re especially attractive to the regular Bali holiday-makers who used to head south to fly via Brisbane.

“Our direct flights mean they now have more time and money to spend away.

“We said in March last year that we’d offer sustained low fares and that still rings true today with tickets for just $109 one-way in June.”

The airline estimated about 40,000 people from the Cairns area fly to Bali annually. The three-a-week services or 156 return trips annually with 50,000 seats is worth $20 million to the region’s economy. There are no plans to increase the frequency or the size of the operating aircraft at this stage.

Cairns Airport chief financial officer Ian Maltman said the flights had been a success from day one.

“People living in Cairns and the broader Far North Queensland region have embraced this opportunity to travel direct from Cairns to Bali to enjoy holidays or conduct business,” he said. “The flight gets you there in just four hours and the schedule allows you to spend as little as a weekend there and be able to make the most of every minute.”

“We are also seeing good numbers of international visitors to Cairns and Great Barrier Reef taking advantage of this new connection to bring them (here) directly.”