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Garuda Indonesia will end direct flights from Brisbane to Denpasar at the end of January as part of a network restructure.
The Indonesia flag carrier confirmed it would withdraw from the route, which it operates five times a week with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, on Monday.
“It is with regret that we announce the closure of our Brisbane to Denpasar service effective 1 February 2015 until further notice due to a company-wide restructure affecting our network,” Garuda said on its Facebook page.
The airline said it would offer passengers booked for travel after February 1 a full refund or complimentary re-routing to Bali via Sydney or Melbourne and apologised for any inconvenienced caused.
It was among a number of initiatives the airline was undertaking to combat a falling Indonesian Rupiah and “other factors which have impacted the performance of international airlines globally”, Garuda said in a statement.
Other routes to be affected include reduction of services between Indonesia and Tokyo, as well as postponing the opening of new destinations such as Nagoya.
Garuda also flagged adjusting flight schedules to Australia and Europe, with more details to come at a later date.
In addition to the network restructure, Garuda said it would return several aircraft to lessors early and reduce the number of business class seats on its Boeing 737-800s to eight seats, from 12 currently.
“This will effectively increase seat capacity in the economy class (attracting a wider market) of up to 15-20 percent and reducing costs,” Garuda said.
Garuda lasted less than 18 months on the Brisbane-Bali route, having resumed service between the Queensland capital and popular tourist destination in August 2013 following a five-year absence.
Virgin Australia and Qantas subsidiary Jetstar were the other two carriers flying between Bali and Brisbane.
Garuda’s exit from Brisbane leaves Perth, Melbourne and Sydney as the airline’s three remaining Australian ports.
Mark
says:I expect nothing less from such a poorly run airline. I remember when they had planned to introduce the 777-300ER on the Syd-Jakarta with onwards connections to London. First it was on then postponed, then postponed again, then cancelled and moved to a A330-300 with no onwards connections to London as this route was also cancelled.
Brett
says:Again?!?