Low cost carrier Malindo Airways has created a super schedule for Australians featuring a stop-over in Bali on the way to or from Kuala Lumpur.
The schedule promises to be a huge success for the airline with the Denpasar stop and a holiday in Bali on top of many Australian’s bucket lists.
The airline was founded in September 2012 and has a fleet of 42 near new aircraft and will fly the 737 800 and 900 between K L and Sydney. The airline already has existing routes to Australia.
The carrier is owned by Indonesian Lion Air Group with headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Airline names are often hard to decipher but not Malindo which is a cooperative arrangement between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Malindo Air OD171 safely touched down in Sydney Airport late last week with a total of 141 passengers on-board, including CEO of Malindo Air, Chandran Rama Muthy. The inaugural flight departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 10:30p.m.on Wednesday with a one-hour stopover in Denpasar (Bali).
The Pilot and Cabin Crew of the inaugural flight relax at the launch
The passengers received a warm welcome by Sydney Airport Management with souvenirs giveaways and a special appearance of a Koala mascot at the arrival gates.
Flight OD172 from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, via Denpasar was sent off at 12:00p.m. As passengers checked in, they were presented with exclusive cupcakes branded with Malindo Air logo, celebratory gift bag and entertained by Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra creating a Balinese ambience in Sydney International Airport.
To mark the launch of the flights travel and media were invited to an evening get-together where more formalities were carried out in a party atmosphere.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said the new services will be welcome news for customers, delivering greater choice and flexibility while providing growth opportunities for trade.
Just arrived on the inaugural flight
“We’re delighted to welcome Malindo Air to Sydney Airport, further bolstering our Asian network and providing customers with more options,” he said.
“The new services are a win for our customers and a boost for tourism, with considerable opportunity to expand trade and investment between Australia and Indonesia/Malaysia, as well as key growth areas such as agriculture and education.”
Chandran Rama Muthy, CEO of Malindo Air said, “We are thrilled to add the much anticipated harbour city, Sydney to our network. We believe this connection will attract both business and leisure travellers alike, wherein it is foreseen to enhance greater passengers’ traffic while promoting the local eco-tourism.”
“There is a strong market on consumer trade between Malaysia and Sydney, hence this new route is likely to encourage many business travellers, given the strategic flight timings and a seamless journey. Whereas in view of leisure prospects, it’s undeniable that this city has many attractions to offer, including rich culinary arts, thrilling adventures and of course significant monuments such as the iconic Opera House, which was previously recognised as one of the Wonders of the World,” he continued.
“Our passengers have always enjoyed the comfortable legroom and the business class option that we offer. We look forward to exploring more frequencies to and from Sydney in the near future,” he added.
Sydney marks the fifth city in Australia under Malindo Air’s network after Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. The daily flights between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, via Denpasar, are operated using a Boeing 737-800/900 aircraft, comprising 12 Business Class and 150/168 Economy Class seats.
Promotional return fare from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney is from AUD $282 for Economy Class and AUD $1022 for Business Class.
Booking is available on the Malindo Air website www.malindoair.com, ticketing offices, customer care centre and preferred travel agents.
The airline operates over 1,300 flights weekly across a continuously growing network of about 56 routes in the region. Also an IATA airline member, Malindo Air codeshare with Turkish Airline, Lion Air, Batik Air, as well as an interlining partner to Xiamen Air, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Turkish Airline, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Oman Air.
Malindo Air has recently won Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) 2019 and Best International Flight Ad of “The Exquisite Pic Award” by Thomas Edison Advertisement (TEA) Awards. Previous awards included Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) 2018 Four Star Major Regional Airline Recognition and Malaysia Best Employer Brand Awards 2018, CAPA’s 2016 Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year, New Comer of the Year, Australia 2016/17 by Expedia.com., TOP Recognition – Malaysia SME® Preferred Airline Partner, Airline of the Year (Passenger) at the KLIA Awards 2014 and Top Performing Airline 2015 by Travelport.
Written by John Savage
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