Flying Higher Still – Air Paradise International

(2/16/2004)

Valentine's Day marked the celebration of Air Paradise International's (API) first birthday with a gala cocktail reception attended by hundreds of travel industry colleagues at Bali's Gado-Gado Restaurant on Seminyak Beach. Decision makers from top wholesalers in Australia and travel agents from across the region enjoyed fine wine and canapés while being entertained by cabaret dancers and a live band.

The Airline's founder and guiding light, Mr. I Made 'Kadek' Wiranatha, was on hand, both in person and on large screen during a multi-media presentation, retelling the dramatic story of Bali's only international airline.

Pak Kadek, a man deeply committed to his island was remained undeterred in his plans to launch API - just 4 months after the tragic bombing of October 12, 2002 that claimed more than 200 lives. Determined to see his new venture get off the ground – both literally and figuratively – he has defied naysayers and managed to grow from a single destination service to an airline that now flies to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, Seoul and, starting in March 2004, Adelaide. Using quality aircraft leased and maintained by a subsidiary company of Singapore Airlines, API's endemic Balinese charm has earned the Airline friends and a loyal passenger followings in each of the markets it serves.

As one partygoer from the travel industry observed at Saturday's birthday party, as Air Paradise Goes, So Goes Bali. And, of that is the case, both Bali and API are pushing forward to a bright future.

Happy Birthday Air Paradise International - Panjang Umur!