Indonesia Air AsiaX Inaugural Bali-Sydney Service

By Grahame Hutchison on Saturday, 17th October 2015

This morning, Indonesia Air AsiaX became the fifth International LCC Long Haul carrier operating at Sydney, making Sydney Airport the world leader in this category. Airbus A330-343 PK-XRC operated the first IDX822 service, landing on Runway 16R just after 10am, and then taxiing to Bay 25 to a "Water Cannon" salute from the airport ARFF. At the Press Conference afterwards, SACL CEO Kerry Mather, welcomed the Airline, and Indonesia Air AsiaX CEO Dendy Kurniawan, to Sydney. Indonesia Air AsiaX will operate 5 services a week to Bali (Denpasar), and today's return service to Bali, IDX823, departed around midday. Indonesia Air AsiaX will use the ATC Callsign "RED PHOENIX".

Media and Photographers met in the Sydney Airport Media Conference Room, and were then bussed out to the Foxtrot Holding Point on Runway 16R for the aircraft's arrival.

Indonesia Air AsiaX Airbus A330-343 PK-XRC about to touchdown on Runway 16R, with an 80% load factor on this first service

Touchdown on Runway 16R signals the completion of this inaugural Indonesia Air AsiaX service into Sydney from Bali (Denpasar). Bali is Australia's largest outbound leisure market, and is growing at 8%

With wheels firmly planted on the Runway, and a trail of blue smoke behind, PK-XRC rolls through to vacate Runway 16R onto Taxiway Alpha

PK-XRC on Taxiway Alpha heading for the International Terminal

The distinctive red and white livery has become well known at Sydney Airport, with partmer airline Air AsiaX having operated here since April 2012

ARFF Fire Tender 3 is waiting at the entrance to INTL 2 ready for the traditional water cannon salute

PK-XRC turns into INTL 2 with ARFF Tender 9 parked over near the Gates

The starboard engine ingests a significant volume of water from the "Water Cannon" salute

PK-XRC almost vanishes in the spray from the ARFF "Water Cannon" salute from Tenders 3 and 5

PK-XRC turns in towards Gate 25 on INTL 2

The standout red and white livery contrasts strongly against the International Terminal and Qantas Boeing 744 in the background

PK-XRC pulls up at Gate 25 to complete this inaugural service

While the Indonesia Air AsiaX Management and Crew are processed through customs, the media and photographers return to the Sydney Airport Media Conference Room for the formal welcome. The celebration cake is ready to cut as part of the formal proceedings