East Timor’s Aero Dili (8G – Aero Dili Transport Service SA) has operated its first flight to Bali Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) today, shuttling travelers directly from its hub at Dili President Nicolau Lobato International Airport (DIL).
The carrier recently received its first Airbus A320 on a two-year lease from DAE Capital, which operated as a workhorse for Bangkok Airways for over 14 years before it was retired from its fleet before moving to East Timor, and was re-registered as 4W-AAL.
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Official welcome
While the aircraft has completed multiple proofing and charter flights since its arrival in March, its first scheduled flight took off from Dili today for the one-hour and 40-minute hop to Bali. Its inaugural flight carried 62 passengers, with the return having a modest 36, a fifth of the aircraft capacity of 165.
8G 181 was welcomed with a traditional water salute on arrival at Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport:
- 8G 181 departed from Dili President Nicolau Lobato International Airport (DIL) at 09:04, arriving at Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) at 09:42.
The flight’s scheduled departure time of 10:05 was delayed for over 40 minutes before operating the below return:
- 8G 270 departed from Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) at 10:49, arriving at Dili President Nicolau Lobato International Airport (DIL) at 13:27.
Passengers at the inaugural service were greeted with a flower lei in Bali by Aero Dili’s President Director, Lourenco de Oliveira. Many photo opportunities were also available with airport representatives and other passengers.
Daily connection on offer
The airline will continue to offer a daily service between Dili and Bali, operating the Airbus A320 each day of the week, from Monday to Saturday, departing Dili at 09:00, arriving in Bali at 09:55, for the return journey takeoff will be at 10:35, touching down at home in Dili by 13:25.
Sunday’s will see an altered schedule, departing from Dili at 11:45, arriving in Bali at 12:40, turning around at 13:25, and returning to Dili just in time for dinner at 16:15.
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Improved services to East Timor
The General Manager of Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) was present at the welcoming ceremony at DPS and congratulated the carrier on its first commercial landing at Bali. As reported by UpdateBali, the GM stated:
“Hopefully, with regular Dili – Denpasar – Dili flights with Aero Dili, it will further improve the connectivity between Bali and Timor Leste.”
According to Flightradar24.com, AeroDili will operate directly with two other Indonesian carriers on the route, with Citilink (QG) operating four times weekly, alongside Batik Air (ID), operating twice weekly. Sriwijaya Air (SJ) also claims to operate the service; however, the airline has not recorded a flight to East Timor since February 27th.
AeroDili’s website proclaims the carrier will soon operate to multiple international destinations, including Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. However, no further information is available on when these may materialize.
Sources: UpdateBali, AeroDili
