In Reply to: didnt know that posted by maz121wa on Sunday, 5. June 2005 at 11:58 Bali Time:
After a heap of negotiating Skywest started flying the Port Hedland Bali service almost 12 months ago. I feel that it needs a lot more positive advertising as the service is excellent and under utilised.The north west has been ripped off by the major airlines for years.Allocated "cheap" domestic seats are swallowed up by the big fly in fly out companies leaving very little for the average bloke. It was soul destroying to have to pay a commercial return fare to Perth (more than two weeks in Bali including accommodation etc) to catch a plane to Bali only to fly over Port Hedland/Karratha etc on the outbound leg and then again on the inbound leg. The Skywest planes used are late model Fokker 100 twin jets. One class but with a really comfortable and roomy 34 inch seat pitch. The biggest in Australia. The planes depart Perth domestic airport at 7.00am every Saturday as a domestic flight and arrive at Karratha at 9.00am. Transit Karratha at 9.30am as a domestic flight and arrive Port Hedland at 10.00am. Customs and Immigration clearance is effected at Port Hedland and the plane then departs Port Hedland at 11.00am as an international flight (Ozwest 211)and arrives in Bali at 1.00pm (depending on wind conditions etc some times only 1 hour 50 minutes). The plane returns on Sundays departing Bali (Ozwest 212) at 1.00pm and arriving Port Hedland at 3.00pm. Again customs, immigration and quarantine is effected at Port Hedland (only 1 international flight so turn around time is less that 1 hour even with full plane. Perth can be up to 3 hours to clear customs etc). Skywest then converts back to a domestic flight and departs Port Hedland at 4.00pm and arrives at Karratha at 4.30pm. Transits Karratha at 5.00pm and arrives at Perth Domestic at 7.00pm. Island Bound Holidays are the wholesaler but any travel agent would be able to accommodate your itinery, or you can call Skywest direct who will steer you in the right direction. There is some really excellent deals on that are extremely attractive and are ongoing. Even if I was in Perth and having regard for what I read on the forum about seat availability I would be considering the Skywest alternative. I must state here unequivically that I have no connection with Skywest or Island Bound Holidays but are in fact employed as a Reporting/Safety Officer at the Port Hedland International Airport. If you require further information please email me.