Virgin Australia has suspended direct flights from Adelaide to Bali following a delay in the delivery of 10 new Boeing MAX aircraft.
Tourists can still travel from Adelaide to Bali with Virgin, but their travel time will now be reduced to around 14 hours and passengers will have to stopover in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne and transfer to a connecting flight.
There is already a seasonal suspension of direct flights until June 9, but this will continue while the airline waits for new aircraft.
Virgin Australia or its travel agent will contact affected passengers to provide alternative arrangements or “a full refund”, Virgin Australia said.
Virgin Australia suspended direct flights from Adelaide to Bali after a delay in delivery of 10 new Boeing MAX aircraft (File image from Bali)
“The continued suspension of this route is necessary to manage the impacts to our domestic and international schedules as a result of the delay in the delivery of new aircraft,” a Virgin Australia spokeswoman told the Advertiser.
‘We recognize that this decision will be disappointing for some guests and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
“Guests who wish to discuss alternative arrangements available to them… are encouraged to contact the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Center on 136 789.”
South Australians can still get direct flights to Bali through other airlines.
The latest blow to travelers in the state comes after Batik Air Malaysia pulled out of Adelaide Airport two months ago.
The airline suspended flights to and from Kuala Lumpur in February due to rising costs.
In March, Adelaide Airport CEO Brenton Cox said he hoped to attract more airlines offering direct flights from Adelaide to major international cities.
Tourists can still get from Adelaide to Bali with Virgin, but their travel time will now be reduced to around 14 hours and passengers will have to stopover in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne and transfer to a connecting flight. Pictured is a Virgin plane.
“At the moment, only two-thirds of people traveling (internationally) to and from Adelaide can go directly,” he told the Advertiser.
‘A third of those people have to pass through another Australian capital, predominantly Sydney and Melbourne.
“And that, frankly, is a waste of our market share.”
Cox said the airport offers significant packages to attract airlines and will continue to do so.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted Virgin Australia for further comment.