Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!

London, United...
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Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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We just arrived at Denpasar airport in Bali to take our flight to Lombok to be told that MERPATI AIRLINES has gone bust! We were not sent any information from the airline to notify us of this- and their website is still fully operational and you can book tickets! I advise everyone to book with Garuda instead as they are much more reliable.

Vancouver, Canada
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704 posts
126 reviews
117 helpful votes
1. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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That sucks. I learned with air Asia cheaper is not better. We are currently in Lombok and have booked all our flights with garuda and they are an amazing airline. I also found out yesterday fast boats from Bali to gills have been cancelled due to bad seas. I am also glad I never picked that choice either. Hope you get your money back and thanks for advising others.

London, United...
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2. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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Thanks! It was very annoying because we have all our ongoing transfers to the gillis booked for today and will end up having paid 4 times the price of the original flight! Can't believe they haven't taken the website down but I just hope people get to read this in advance!

Bali, Indonesia
Destination Expert
for Ubud, Pemuteran, Yogyakarta Region, Indonesia
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3. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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I could be wrong but from what I understand Merpati has not officially gone bankrupt. They have cancelled some flights and have not paid employees for a while but still hope to continue flying at some point.

I am not sticking up for them, however it's been evident for months that they were in trouble.

Sorry for your inconvenience and trouble...not a good thing to happen to anyone.

Level Contributor
394 posts
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13 helpful votes
4. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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Sorry to read that and sorry for your inconvenience. When you eventually arrive in Lombok, I hope you are able to enjoy the rest of your holiday. This is a horrible way to start your Lombok experience, especially when you have travelled so far.

Perth, Australia
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3,807 posts
36 reviews
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5. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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Merpati are not officially bankrupt, but are in deep trouble owing nearly 600 million US, and haven't paid their staff for over 2 months. Most of their offices are now closed, either intentionally or because unpaid staff are refusing to work. Last Saturday the pilots wentvon strike.

The alternatives are Garuda, which operates a twice a day service to Lombok and Wings / Lion Air (code share) which has 4-6 flights a day. Gardua operates a jet. Wings operate new turbo prop aircraft, arguably more suitable for the short 20 min flight.

Bruges, Belgium
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153 posts
1,997 reviews
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6. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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I saw on the local news a couple of days ago that pertamina was now demanding cash for fuel delivery, as they have a huge unpaid bill there

Maybe this time it's for real and they will go bust (but my guess is they will get bailed out again)

No loss to the airline industry, as they are a truly bad airline

I made a couple of flights with them over the years, always long delays, like that time in banjarmasin, 8 hours, and never an explanation or apology, let alone any compensation (oh wait, once i managed to squeeze a nasi goreng out of them, but it was a bungkus so i still had to buy my own drink)

planet earth
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436 posts
48 reviews
25 helpful votes
7. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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Garuda operates 3 times a day Bali to Lombok now, 12.15, 15.50 & 18.50pm.

We recently took the 12.15pm which was enroute to somewhere else (Surabaya maybe?)

Perth, Australia
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3,807 posts
36 reviews
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8. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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Im not sure the 12.15 is every day, but tge 15.50 and 18.50 are

Halifax, Canada
2 posts
9. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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Stumbled upon this post on feb 3 - had booked to fly Bali - Lombok mid month. Didn't realize there were problems but upon seeing this and the news I rebooked that day. Just wanted to say thank you for the post - we are here, they are grounded, and your note saved our trip!

Melbourne, Australia
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66 posts
72 reviews
37 helpful votes
10. Re: Merpati Airlines has gone bust- DO NOT BOOK!
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Does anyone know if the 12:15 Garuda flight from Bali - Lombok is still running?

I was about to book it last week but didnt then today when i look they are only showing the afternoon flights...?!

Departing on as Saturday... any info appreciated - otherwise how can I book with Lion Air? are they a reliable airline... seem to be the only 2 choices....

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