Jetstar’s fares for Bali just take off

JETSTAR prices for flights to and from Bali have jumped by as much as 570 per cent in the wake of AirAsia’s announcement it would be cancelling its services on the route.

Earlier this week, Jetstar was advertising flights to Bali in February for $99 and return flights for just $44.

However, after AirAsia confirmed to ntnews.com.au on Wednesday that it would be scrapping its flights between Darwin and Bali, prices jumped.

Fares to Bali for $99 are still available in January, however return fares have leapt to between $182 and $242. In February fares to Bali increase to $179 and return flights are between $122 and $295.

A Jetstar spokeswoman said the airline remained committed to delivering cheap flights between Darwin and Bali.

“Bali remains an important market for us from Darwin and ... our flights from Darwin to Bali (will) continue to operate as normal well into the future,” she said. “There are many factors that determine the pricing of air tickets, and we take into strong account our mission of every day low fares, making air travel affordable and the world more accessible to our customers.”

Territorians guessed the prices would jump as soon as they heard the announcement of AirAsia’s cancellations.

“They won’t get the $69 return fare to Bali anymore,” Scott Gorrell posted on Facebook on Thursday.

“Now Jetstar will hike its prices up between Darwin and Bali as there is no competition,” Bev Phelts commented.

“Watch the prices rise now,” Nigel Rankine posted.

It took more than two full days for Jetstar to up its prices.

Jetstar earlier this week confirmed it would be looking at increasing the number of services it offers on the Darwin-Bali route.

In the 2016-17 financial year, Jetstar flew 35,000 passengers between the Indonesian island and the Top End.

AirAsia confirmed on Wednesday it would cancel its routes between Darwin and Bali from January 28.

“AirAsia Indonesia will suspend its service connecting Bali with Darwin as part of a network restructuring aimed at improving operational efficiency,” a spokesman said.

Previously Garuda Indonesia operated flights between Darwin and Bali, however the airline pulled out of the Top End in 2009, after 30 years.

AirNorth has also previously operated the route.