East Timor - whats going on?

[WLGFlyer]

Hi there,

I noticed that Dili (DIL) disappeared from several booking engines.

For example I can book flights to DIL on qantas.com.au but not from. It doesn't even come up as an option. QF370 (DIL-DRW) is still flying though and can be booked as part of a return and as a OW via OTAs.

Much of the same, Expedia does not list Dili at all anymore. I'm sure that wasn't the case a few weeks ago.

Any idea what is going on?

Thanks!

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

I couldn't search it all on QF recently - had to call to make the booking and the booking fees were waived accordingly.

 

[RoMambai]

When I lived there from 2010 - 12, I could never find it so I'm surprised it shows up (albeit one way only). But with Dili - DPS flights at $90 at the time (not sure what the price is these days), I had no reason to head south. I loved my time there, especially the access to eastern Indonesia. The best part for mine in that sprawling archipelago.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

But with Dili - DPS flights at $90 at the time (not sure what the price is these days)

Three carriers - Citilink, Sriwijaya and Nam Air all between $105 & $115 each way. I flew Citilink and it was surprisingly comfortable.

 

[RoMambai]

Three carriers - Citilink, Sriwijaya and Nam Air all between $105 & $115 each way. I flew Citilink and it was surprisingly comfortable.

Wow, that's cheap. Can Timor sustain 3 carriers?

When I first got there, Merpati operated a monopoly and its cheapest offerings went for USD 350 for the return flight. It was almost as unconscionable as AirNorth (though not nearly as bad). Then one mob broke in and prices halved overnight.

I was just thinking of my languid days there when the OP emerged. While I vowed never to go back there at the time, Kabul has made me miss the joint. And those cheap prices have me thinking again....