Travel plans for many Canberrans have been thrown into disarray after Batik Air decided to scale back flights between the ACT and Bali. Aviation experts highlight the ongoing struggle to maintain international services from the capital, adding to the frustration for affected travellers.
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00:00These Canberra nurses have been dreaming of their Bali escape for a year, but last week
00:09their plans hit turbulence.
00:11We got a WhatsApp message just stating that they were moving our flights from the first
00:17of September to the 25th of August, so initially we thought it was a scam.
00:24But an email confirmed it.
00:26Everyone in our travel party is a nurse, so you just can't change your leave with a week's
00:32notice.
00:33They've now rebooked the trip with a different airline at three times the cost.
00:38So $970 one way now versus the $300 that we had paid six months ago.
00:46Bartik Air launched in Canberra in June with great fanfare, promising three direct flights
00:52to Bali a week.
00:54It's now been cut back to two services due to lower than expected demand.
00:59When you start a new route, it usually takes between six and nine months to get established.
01:04A reality of some of the cost of living challenges that people are experiencing at the moment
01:08is that overseas travel and holidays to Bali are probably things that are considered discretionary.
01:15Bartik Air is one of just two international carriers currently servicing the capital.
01:21Aviation experts say Canberra's population size means sustaining those flights can be difficult.
01:27Airlines don't like to fly half full flights or have empty seats because an empty seat
01:35represents no money being made.
01:37Canberra Airport and the ACT government say they're in constant negotiations with airlines
01:43to secure more international flights for the capital.
01:46They're pushing to resume services to Singapore and New Zealand, which were axed during the pandemic.
01:53The earliest anything new would start would be next year.
01:56Leaving hopeful holidaymakers in a holding pattern.