TIGER AIR DIRECT FLIGHTS SINGAPORE - LOMBOK! The good news keeps coming with Jetstar ready to start direct Perth-Lombok flights this month and Tiger Air launching their direct Singapore-Lombok flights this December.Access has always been the problem for developing tourism on Lombok and the lack of direct international flights to our island has hampered what should have been a strong growth over the past ten years. Until recently, the majority of travellers to Lombok have been forced to come to Lombok via Bali, which isn’t a bad option for those wishing to combine the best of two tropical locations for their holidays.But poor performance by domestic airlines flying the route between Bali and Lombok, including flight delays and lack of customer service (such as online booking), often deters visitors from making the hop from Bali over to Lombok. Some of these obstacles have been overcome in recent years by the increase in the number of fast boat services between Bali and Lombok, the addition of daily Garuda flights using 737-800 aircraft, and most recently, regular helicopter services from Air Bali between the islands.Most importantly, since the opening of the Lombok International Airport in late 2011, the number of direct flights from international destinations has increased, making the hassles of arranging a domestic connection obsolete.Silk Air has been supplying direct flights between Singapore and Lombok for many years, with three flights per week out of Lombok. AirAsia commenced services earlier this year, linking Lombok to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with non-stop flights every day.Jetstar will be the first airline to link Australia and Lombok, with direct services to and from Perth starting on 24 September this year.Now Tiger Air can be added to this growing list, with the low-cost carrier set to begin direct services between Singapore and Lombok on 2 December this year.News of a Tiger Air service between Singapore and Lombok was first announced in May this year, with the flights tipped to commence in July. However, this did not eventuate and lack of information led many to believe it was just a rumour.Although there has been no official announcement at the time of our going to print, a visit to the Tiger Air website confirms the latest news – direct Lombok flights are indeed on their booking schedule. The first flight is scheduled to take place from Singapore to Lombok on 2 December, departing Singapore’s Changi Airport at 8.55 and arriving at Lombok International Airport at 11.35.“Raw” introductory fares are listed at just Rp 826,000 one way (Sing $118) – making this a very affordable trip for Singaporeans, as well as travellers connecting from SE Asian and European destinations.“Raw” international fares are the lowest available single price fares for one-way travel (with hand luggage only) and exclude $34 tax and $9 booking fee.These fares must be purchased online and there are additional charges for options such as baggage allowances (from 15kg to 40kg), sports equipment, in-flight meals, priority boarding, and other benefits. Tiger Air will operate three direct flights per week – every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – flying Airbus 320-200 with a capacity for 180 economy seats.The airline’s online booking schedule lists the following flight information for Flight No TR 2267 (from Lombok) and TR 2266 (from Singapore): Monday depart Lombok 12.15; arrive Singapore 15.00 Depart Singapore 8.55; arrive Lombok 11.35 Wednesday depart Lombok 18.55; arrive Singapore 21.45 Depart Singapore 15.30; arrive Lombok 18.15 Friday depart Lombok 14.15; arrive Singapore 16.40 Depart Singapore 10.50; arrive Lombok 13.35 Tiger Airways is a low-cost airline headquartered in Singapore with a fleet of A320 aircraft, all having an average age of less than three years.Tiger’s network extends to over 50 destinations in 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region with services to regional destinations in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, China and India from its main base at Singapore Changi Airport. The airline plans to build its fleet to 68 aircraft by December 2015.This new direct service is exciting news for travellers seeking a cheap flight via Singapore, as well as for expatriate residents on Lombok who regularly fly to Singapore for visa renewals and business trips.
Posted on: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 04:55:29 +0000
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