New airline enters Perth-Bali market amid safety certification concerns

Policy

Geoffrey Thomas Editor-In-Chief - US Bureau Chief | Airline Ratings

By Sky Industry News

Jan 19, 2025

On the Perth-to-Bali route, travelers have several low-cost carrier options, with a new addition arriving in March. TransNusa will begin operations on this route on March 20. Despite its competitive pricing, some concerns have been raised about the airline.

One major concern is that TransNusa lacks the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification. Airlines on the IOSA registry consistently show better safety performance compared to non-registered airlines. Since 2005, IOSA-certified airlines have had an all-accident rate of 1.40 per million sectors, whereas non-IOSA airlines have a rate of 3.49 per million sectors. In 2022, IOSA-registered carriers outperformed non-registered ones by a factor of four (0.70 accidents per million sectors vs. 2.82 accidents per million sectors). This has led to calls for more regulators to incorporate IOSA into safety oversight programs.

Several Indonesian airlines like Garuda Indonesia, AirAsia Indonesia, Batik Air, Lion Air, and Wings Air are IOSA-certified. Citilink, owned by Garuda Indonesia, also falls under this category. Notably, AirAsia improved its safety standards significantly after not being IOSA-certified during a tragic accident in 2014 and has now made AirlineRatings’ World’s Safest Low-Cost Carrier list for 2025.

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Another aspect to consider is the age of TransNusa’s fleet; their Airbus A320s average nearly 19 years old and A321s over 20 years old. While fleet age isn't solely indicative of safety—maintenance quality is crucial—older planes often need more frequent upkeep.

Additionally, TransNusa's small fleet size raises operational concerns as they operate seven aircraft with only five allocated for this route. Limited backup capacity can lead to cancellations or delays if technical issues arise.

TransNusa does offer greater onboard comfort and more legroom than competitors on this route and maintains a solid track record in terms of accidents and incidents among Indonesian airlines.

Ultimately, while TransNusa may present an affordable option for the Perth-Bali journey, its lack of IOSA certification and other factors make it less appealing compared to established airlines on this route.

###

Organizations Included in this History

Airline Ratings

More News

Long Beach Airport diverts 35 tons of organic waste through recycling program

Long Beach Airport has successfully diverted 35 tons of organic waste from landfills through its food scrap recycling program, initiated in late 2021.

Jan 25, 2025

Southwest Airlines introduces assigned seating amid global expansion efforts

Southwest Airlines is preparing to introduce assigned and extra-legroom seats next year, marking a significant change in its seating arrangements.

Jan 25, 2025

Delta modifies routes: ends two Central America flights but revives two West Coast routes

Delta Air Lines has announced changes to its flight routes, impacting connections between the United States and Central America as well as enhancing domestic services for the summer of 2025.

Jan 25, 2025