Indonesian airline reopens its direct flight route from Australia to Bali

A Garuda Indonesia Airlines aircraft is pictured about to touch down at Sydney International Airport in Sydney on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING

A Garuda Indonesia Airlines aircraft is shown about to touch down at Sydney International Airport, 30 Dec 2009. Source: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

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For the first time in almost two years, Garuda Indonesia has re-opened its direct flight route from Australia to Bali, Indonesia. With the various problems faced by the state-owned airline, has its operation been back to normal again?

Much awaited, Garuda Indonesia has finally reopened its direct international flights from Sydney, Australia to Denpasar, Bali.

The maiden flight after nearly two years of suspension due to the pandemic departed from Sydney Kingsford Smith airport on Friday morning (04/03/22) at 11:30, carrying a total of 61 passengers.

Senior Manager of Garuda Indonesia for the Southwest Pacific region, Mr I Nyoman Sunia Sanjaya, told SBS Indonesian that passengers are very happy with the reopening of this direct flight route to the Island of the Gods.

Senior Manager of Garuda Indonesia for Southwest Pacific region, Mr I Nyoman Sunia Sanjaya (2nd from R), alongside Consul General Vedi Kurnia Buana. Source: KJRI Sydney

Being affected by the pandemic, Garuda Indonesia had to make several improvements including closing flight routes to and from Perth and Melbourne in July last year.

How can this state-owned airline survive the pandemic?

Listen to the full interview here.