Hi Guys, have been reading all the various posts regarding Virgin Blue, are they or are they not flying into Bali? Future son-in-law (or that's what he thinks!) works within the industry and the following is an extract of an e-mail direct from Virgin today.
"Hi Chris,
Thank you for your email.
Please note we are currently waiting on regulatory approval from the
Indonesian Government to start flying there, which is why we are
currently only allowed to sell fares AUS-DPS-AUS, and not DPS-AUS. This
is very normal for new ports, especially international ones. We are
expecting the sign off very shortly.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Annelie Artates
Virgin Blue Airlines and V Australia Airlines"
We are currently booked to fly out on the 2nd of Jan with Virgin from Perth. As also recently posted, departure from Perth is thru the international terminal (how else can we get our last minute duty free?) the same as Jet* and OZ jet.
I have asked Chris to keep me informed about contact details in Bali for confirmation of seats for return flights. However, I'm sure for those on the first flights, Virgin will advise you of who to contact in Bali.
Finally, I know the last thing anyone wants raised again is the "do we go or don't we go" issue. I've been lucky enough to have enjoyed Bali from the days of going by "boat only" in 1974 to going back again in a few weeks. We have been there when Aust invaded East Timor, we were there in 2002, we were there when the Marroitt was bombed, again in 2005 we were only 100m from the Kuta bombing.
Am I concerned about the recent issues - of course I am - but will that stop me from going back - no way. If I thought the risk was too great I wouldn't be taking my wife and daughters and boyfriends (leaving the cats and dogs at home just in case they end up on the menu somewhere).
Anyway enough ramblings - bring on the bintangs.