East Timor’s national airline, Aero Dili, has announced that it will launch its second international route to Singapore in December 2023. The new service will operate three times a week, using a leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The airline aims to connect Dili with the Lion City, one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia.
The new flights to Singapore will mark a milestone for Aero Dili, which was established in 2020 as the flag carrier of East Timor. The airline currently operates domestic flights to Baucau, Suai, and Oecusse, as well as an international flight to Denpasar, Bali, which started in May 2023.
The airline’s CEO, Mr. João da Silva, said that the new service will provide a new opportunity for East Timor to boost its tourism, trade, and diplomatic relations with Singapore and the region. He also expressed his gratitude to the government of East Timor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore for their support and cooperation.
“We are very excited to launch our second international route to Singapore, which is a strategic and attractive destination for us. We believe that this service will benefit both countries and enhance the connectivity between East Timor and Southeast Asia. We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board our Airbus A320, which offers a comfortable and safe flying experience,” he said.
A Convenient Schedule and Competitive Fares
The flights to Singapore will depart from Dili Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 17:00 and arrive at Singapore Changi Airport at 20:00. The return flights will leave Singapore on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 01:00 and land in Dili at 06:30.
The airline said that the schedule was designed to offer convenience and flexibility for travelers, as well as to allow for connections with other airlines at Changi Airport. The airline also said that it will offer competitive fares and promotions for the new route, which will be available on its website and through its sales agents.
According to the airline’s website, the fares for the Dili-Singapore route start from $299 for economy class and $499 for business class, excluding taxes and fees. The website also shows that the airline plans to expand its international network to other destinations in Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore in the future.
A Secondhand Airbus for Aero Dili
The Airbus A320-200 that Aero Dili uses for its international flights is a secondhand aircraft that was leased from a Thai company in March 2023. The aircraft was previously operated by Volaris, a Mexican low-cost carrier, and Bangkok Airways, a Thai regional airline.
The aircraft has a capacity of 162 seats, with 12 seats in business class and 150 seats in economy class. The aircraft is equipped with leather seats, inflight entertainment systems, and overhead bins. The aircraft also has a special livery that features the logo of Aero Dili and the national flag of East Timor.
The airline said that it is satisfied with the performance and reliability of the aircraft, which has been used for domestic and international flights without any major issues. The airline also said that it is looking for more aircraft to support its growth plans and meet the demand of its customers.
