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.
Comments