Batik Air, the only rival to Air New Zealand on Auckland-Perth route, suspends service

Monday, 24 June 2024

Batik Air announces it is temporarily suspending its Auckland-Perth service.

It is going to fly direct from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur in December 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.

The Malaysian airline only started flying between NZ and Western Australia last August.

Batik Air has announced it is “temporarily suspending” its Auckland-Perth service, citing “operational requirements”. It leaves Air New Zealand as the only airline with a non-stop flight between the two centres.

Batik Air only started flying six times a week between Auckland and Perth, and then onwards to Kuala Lumpur, last August. It used a Boeing 737 MAX 8, with the journey being described as one of the longest, if not the longest “direct” narrow body flight in the world.

However, while it is suspending the Western Australia service from July 19, the Malaysian airline has announced it is looking at a direct flight between Auckland and Kuala Lumpur in December 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.

Batik Air CEO, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, confirmed that New Zealand still remains a key market for the airline.

“The forthcoming replacement with a direct service will strengthen the connectivity and opportunities for travellers across the Batik Air network and enhance travel experience of our passengers.”

Passengers holding reservations for flights to and from Auckland affected by the suspension are advised to submit their tickets for a full refund.

Batik Air Malaysia, formerly known as Malindo Air, is part of Indonesia’s Lion Air Group.

It describes itself as a full-service airline, offering business and economy - alongside in-flight entertainment and meals. The airline rating website Skytrax has given it three out of five stars.

Air New Zealand has recently started flying its aircraft between Auckland and Perth again. It had been in a leasing agreement with Spanish carrier Wamos while it grappled with engine supply issues.