Batik Air Malaysia Suspends Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur Flights

Batik Air Malaysia, previously known as Malindo Airlines, has made the decision to suspend its flights between Adelaide and Kuala Lumpur due to ongoing operational constraints. This announcement comes after the airline launched its Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur route in July 2023, with flights operating three times a week. A spokesperson from Adelaide Airport confirmed that the last Batik Air Malaysia flight arrived in Adelaide on February 8, marking the temporary end of this service.

The suspension of the Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur route has left passengers disappointed, many of whom were surprised by the high number of travelers on the final flight. Matthew Conahan, a passenger on one of the last flights, expressed his frustration at the suspension but acknowledged the challenges faced by airlines operating in smaller cities like Adelaide.

Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, initially highlighted the potential of the Malaysia market for Adelaide’s travel industry. However, the decision to suspend flights indicates the current operational difficulties faced by Batik Air Malaysia.

This news coincides with the recent announcement from Emirates, a major global carrier, revealing their plans to increase their flights to Adelaide with daily services starting in October 2024.

In a related development, Batik Indonesia, a sister airline within the Lion Air Group, has announced a reduction in its Adelaide-Bali flights. The frequency of these flights will be cut from four to two services per week. The airline stated that it is common to decrease flight frequencies to Indonesia during this time of year, despite the significant number of South Australians who traveled to Bali last year.

Batik Air Malaysia had also launched seasonal flights between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur in December 2023, operating three times a week.