Shortage of flights threaten Bali tourism

AS a record total of foreign tourists visit Bali, the number of Australians holidaying there is also gradually improving.

But the Balinese tourism industry says it's not just the recent bird flu deaths that are the biggest hurdle to full recovery.

Hoteliers and tourists say the main problem is the lack of seat availability on flights, particularly between Bali and the east coast of Australia.

Qantas stepping aside for Jetstar

It appears that Qantas is gradually bowing out of the holiday destination and allowing its budget arm Jetstar to take over routes.

Qantas flies twice a week to Bali from Perth and Darwin, but it is understood the airline plans to drop its Darwin flights from October.

Meanwhile, Jetstar to double services

Jetstar, which launched services to Bali in early December last year, has already announced it will double its direct services between Sydney and Bali to four times weekly from October 28. This is in addition to twice weekly flights from Melbourne to Bali.