A gap in the Asia Pacific air network will close, albeit only on a seasonal basis for the time being, when Air New Zealand resumes direct services between Auckland and Denpasar, Bali, from June to October this year.
The route was operated in the past by Air New Zealand and Garuda Indonesia but both carriers dropped out because of patchy loadings. Garuda also provided a service onwards to Jakarta.
Currently, New Zealand traffic to Bali moves largely via Australian east coast ports which, with a stopover, can make a lengthy journey. Direct flight time will be about eight and a half hours.
The new service will operate twice-weekly, using refurbished Boeing 767-300 aircraft. If loadings prove sufficient, the carrier has already said it will look to making it year-round.
Aircargo Asia Pacific