After emerging through some pretty tough times, AirAsia is nearing its pre-COVID best, adding new routes and turning profits across the Capital A empire. On Friday, Indonesia AirAsia launched another new route, this one connecting the Indonesian capital Jakarta to Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

The relatively short flight between Perth and Southeast Asia is a magnet for holidays, family reunions, and business travel at both ends of the route. As Western Australia's 12th largest trading partner, the new nonstop service will foster easier travel between the two nations, as well as add more freight capacity for exporters. The Indonesia AirAsia (IAA) service is the only nonstop between Perth and Jakarta and will initially operate four times weekly.

Four hours in the A320

On Friday, IAA flight QZ532 departed Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) at 18:16. It covered the 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) to Perth in 4:19 hours, arriving at 23:35. The service was operated by a 15-year-old Airbus A320-200, registration PK-AXD (pictured above) and MSN 03182 which left Perth Airport (PER) at 00:57 on Saturday, landing in Jakarta at 04:03.

Fleet data provided by ch-aviation.com shows that Indonesia AirAsia has 27 Airbus A320-200s in its fleet, which are configured in an all-economy 3-3 layout of 180 seats. The A320 that started the Jakarta-Perth route was first delivered to AirAsia in July 2007, carrying registration 9M-AFX.

In August 2009, it was reregistered with Indonesia AirAsia as the operator, switching tail numbers to the current PK-AXD. As of January 31st, 2023, the workhorse had accumulated 42,536 flight hours, flown 24,351 flight cycles, and was used for an average of 7:28 hours per day. It is one of the younger aircraft in IAA's fleet, which has an average of 12.8 years across its A320s.

Perth is heading for a full recovery

The new route is another step for Perth Airport in its post-COVID international traffic recovery, which has reached 85% of pre-pandemic levels. Acting CEO Kate Holsgrove said the new nonstop service is a huge boost for Western Australia's business, student, and tourism sectors, delivering almost 75,000 new seats into the Perth market.

AirAsia A320 Classic Livery
Photo: AirAsia

She also pointed out that with a population of 10.5 million, there is "a massive opportunity to entice not only tourists but [also] students from the Indonesian capital."

"And it's great that our long-standing relationships with our airline partners such as AirAsia are now seeing new services arrive at Perth. It is awesome to see AirAsia's commitment to Western Australia as it launches the only nonstop service between Perth and Jakarta."

From the airline perspective, IAA expressed its optimism that the route would be successful, citing a load factor on the inaugural flight of more than 70% from Jakarta and more than 80% for the return flight from Perth.

IAA also said that the seamless connections from Jakarta to the 'Super Prority Destinations' across the Indonesian islands of Borobudur in Java, Danau Toba in Sumatera, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Likupang in Sulawesi and Mandalika in Lombok, and West Nusa Tenggara will also drive inbound visitation.

What do you think of an international four-hour flight in an economy A320? Let us know in the comments.

Source: ch-aviation.com