From Sunday 26 March, flights to Bali from Darwin will now depart at 6:50 am in the morning to arrive at 8:00 am. This replaces the current 8:10 pm departure, arriving at 9:30 pm.
The return flight to Darwin from Bali will now depart shortly after midnight at 12:25 am before setting down in Darwin at 4:50 am. Currently flights depart Bali at 3:30 pm in the afternoon, arriving at 7:40 pm.
The one exception to the new schedule is on Wednesday 29 March when flights will operate slightly later than the current schedule.
The positive of the AirAsia changes are that Darwin passengers seeking to connect with AirAsia to other Asian destinations via Denpasar will be able to do so through the day, due to the early morning arrival into Denpasar.
The downside is the red-eye flight home which is not popular with many.
Flights will continue to operate four times per week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Territorians planning a weekend in Bali will now need to leave home Friday morning and not get home until 4:50 am Monday morning - not nearly as convenient as the current Friday night departure and Sunday evening return.
Darwin travellers angered after AirAsia’s Bali flight schedules changes
Phillippa Butt | Aviation Reporter
NT News | 15 March 2017