Batik Air Malaysia: Launching New Zealand Flights

Batik Air Malaysia is gearing up to revolutionize air travel with its upcoming launch of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland, New Zealand, via Perth.

With its state-of-the-art two-class Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, offering a total of 172 seats, Batik Air Malaysia is set to embark on this exciting new venture, covering an impressive distance of 5,886 miles (9,472 km). The introduction of this route is an extension of the airline’s existing operations in Perth, further expanding its reach and connectivity.

Convenient Departures to New Zealand

Starting from 24 August 2023, during the winter aviation season in the Southern Hemisphere, Batik Air Malaysia’s flights to New Zealand will become a reality. Passengers can now book their tickets and experience the unparalleled convenience offered by the airline.

The route will operate six times a week, with a layover in Perth, Western Australia. It’s worth noting that Batik Air Malaysia holds fifth freedom traffic rights for the Perth-Auckland-Perth route.

Batik Air Malaysia New Zealand Flight Schedule

Let’s take a closer look at the flight schedule, all times provided are local. Since the aircraft makes an enroute while maintaining the same flight number, this is classified as a “direct” route.

Due to prevailing headwinds, the return journey to Malaysia takes a longer duration, with a block time of 13 hours and 20 minutes, and a total trip time of 14 hours and 20 minutes.

Expanding Connectivity: Kuala Lumpur-Auckland

Batik Air Malaysia’s foray into the Kuala Lumpur-Auckland market marks its entry as the third carrier on this popular route. In 2019, approximately 57,000 passengers traveled between these two cities.

Alongside Malaysia Airlines, which operates eight weekly non-stop flights using their A330-200 aircraft, and AirAsia X, with a daily A330-300 service via Sydney, Batik Air Malaysia adds to the available options for travelers.

With a combined total of 21 weekly services, this route showcases the significant demand in the point-to-point market. Moreover, all three carriers actively cater to passengers connecting through Kuala Lumpur, aiming to capture transit traffic between Australia, Kuala Lumpur, and New Zealand.

Enhancing Accessibility: Perth-Auckland

Spanning a distance of 3,323 miles (5,348 km), the Perth-Auckland route is classified as a long-haul journey. In 2019, the point-to-point market on this route accounted for approximately 145,000 roundtrip passengers.

Interestingly, about one-third of these travelers opted for indirect flights via Melbourne or Sydney. However, with the introduction of Batik Air Malaysia’s services, passengers now have the option of a non-stop flight aboard their Boeing 737 aircraft.

Batik Air Malaysia’s Extensive Australasian Network

As of 25 May 2023, Batik Air Malaysia operates a network of flights connecting Australia and New Zealand, exclusively utilizing their fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. Here is an overview of their flight frequencies for the remainder of the year.

1. Kuala Lumpur-Adelaide: Three weekly flights, commencing from July 6th (non-stop service)
2. Kuala Lumpur-Auckland: Six weekly flights, starting August 24th (via Perth)
3. Kuala Lumpur-Brisbane: Frequency ranges from four weekly to daily flights (via Denpasar Bali)
4. Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne: Daily flights increased to 10 weekly (daily via Denpasar, with the rest being non-stop)
5. Kuala Lumpur-Perth: Weekly flights elevated from 12 to 26 (mostly non-stop, with some via Denpasar Bali)
6. Kuala Lumpur-Sydney: Daily flights (via Denpasar Bali)

Conclusion

Batik Air Malaysia’s entry into the highly competitive Kuala Lumpur-Auckland market, along with its expansion in the Perth-Auckland segment, highlights the airline’s commitment to providing exceptional service and connectivity options to passengers.

With its modern fleet, customer-centric approach, and an extensive network, Batik Air Malaysia is well-positioned to cater to the growing demand for air travel between Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand.