Malaysian airline Batik Air to take on Air NZ

A new Malaysian carrier looks set to launch flights to New Zealand and will operate the longest narrowbody route to and from New Zealand. The Malaysian offshoot of Batik Air has flights from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland, via Perth, loaded on its website from late August. Batik Air Malaysia, formerly known as Malindo Air, is part of Indonesia’s Lion Air Group. The Malaysian branch of the airline has more than 30 aircraft, including 737-MAX, ATR-72 regional planes and a single long-haul A330-300. It describes itself as a full-service airline, offering business and economy - alongside in-flight entertainment and meals. The airline rating website Skytrax has given it three out of five stars. According to schedules published on Batik Air’s website, the Kuala Lumpur service to Auckland (via Perth) will be run by a 737-MAX. It has 162 seats, including 12 in Business. The flights between Auckland and Perth will take more than six hours, making it the longest narrowbody flight to and from New Zealand. The connecting flight from Perth to Kuala Lumpur is just under six hours. The new route will be operated six times a week and bring competition to Air New Zealand, which currently offers the only direct flight.<br/>