About Air Timor
Air Timor S.A. is a Timor-Leste-based airline operating under IATA code 6C and ICAO code TMI, headquartered at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste (East Timor). Originally established as Austasia Airlines in 2001 operating charter flights between Australia and Indonesia, the airline relocated to Timor-Leste in 2007 and was officially renamed Air Timor S.A. following approval from the Timorese government in 2010.
Air Timor operated scheduled and charter passenger services connecting Dili with key regional destinations including Singapore and Kupang in Indonesia. The airline did not own aircraft but operated through wet-lease arrangements with partner carriers including SilkAir, Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines), and TransNusa Aviation. In July 2020, Singapore-based New International Timor Airways (NITA) acquired an 80% stake in the airline. Air Timor suspended all flight operations in December 2023.
Airline Overview and History
Air Timor's journey spans over two decades, from its origins as a charter operator to becoming one of the key carriers serving Timor-Leste. Key milestones in the airline's history include:
- 2001 — Austasia Airlines established, operating charter flights between Australia and Indonesia
- 2007 — Relocated to Timor-Leste and registered as a company in both Timor-Leste and Singapore
- August 2008 — Commenced first scheduled charter flights from Singapore to Dili using an Airbus A319 wet-leased from SilkAir, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- 2010 — Officially renamed from Austasia Airlines to Air Timor S.A. following Timorese government approval
- October 2014 — Launched Bali (Denpasar) to Dili service under a charter arrangement with Garuda Indonesia and Citilink
- January 2017 — Bali to Dili route terminated due to competition
- December 2017 — Launched Dili to Kupang service with an ATR 72-600 wet-leased from TransNusa
- March 2019 — Singapore to Dili service suspended (SilkAir wet-lease ended)
- June 2019 — Kupang service relaunched with TransNusa ATR 72-600
- October 2019 — Singapore to Dili service resumed with an Airbus A319 wet-leased from Drukair
- July 2020 — New International Timor Airways (NITA), led by Singapore-based Edward Ong, acquired 80% of Air Timor
- December 2023 — Suspended all flight operations due to chronic financial difficulties and high leasing costs
The airline's primary hub was Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (DIL) in Dili, which served as the main gateway for both domestic and international operations in Timor-Leste. Air Timor played a significant role in providing critical air connectivity for the young nation, particularly on the strategically important Singapore to Dili corridor. The airline's board originally comprised three Timorese representatives, one Australian, and one Singaporean member, reflecting its multinational founding structure. Air Timor also maintained offices in Singapore at Changi Airport Terminal 2 and a representative office in Perth, Australia.
Fleet and Aircraft
Air Timor operated entirely through wet-lease arrangements, meaning the airline did not own any aircraft under its own registry. Instead, partner airlines provided both the aircraft and crew. The fleet types used throughout the airline's operational history include:
- Airbus A319-100 — Wet-leased from SilkAir (2008 to 2019) and subsequently from Drukair (2019 to 2023). Configured with 118 seats in a two-class layout: 16 Business Class seats and 102 Economy Class seats. Used primarily on the Singapore to Dili route, with a flight time of approximately 3.5 hours
- ATR 72-600 — Wet-leased from TransNusa Aviation (2017 to 2023). Configured with 72 seats in an all-Economy layout. Deployed on the shorter Dili to Kupang route within the Nusa Tenggara region
The wet-lease model allowed Air Timor to operate services without the significant capital expenditure of purchasing and maintaining its own fleet. The Drukair arrangement was particularly efficient, as Air Timor utilised Drukair's A319 during downtime periods when the aircraft was stationed in Singapore overnight due to Bhutan's nighttime landing curfew at Paro Airport. This made the arrangement cost-effective for both airlines.
Top Flight Routes
Air Timor connected Dili with several key destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. Below are the airline's primary routes and related connections available on Traveloka for Malaysian travellers:
Air Timor's Singapore to Dili route was the airline's flagship service, operating twice weekly with the Airbus A319. The Dili to Kupang route served as a vital cross-border link between Timor-Leste and the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara, catering to business travellers, families, and cross-border trade. Travellers can search for the latest available flights and fares to Dili and surrounding destinations on Traveloka.
Baggage Allowance and Policies
Understanding the baggage rules helps you pack efficiently and avoid unexpected fees at the airport. Below is a summary of Air Timor's baggage policy based on its most recent operations.
Cabin Baggage
- Economy Class: 1 piece of cabin baggage, maximum 7 kg
- Business Class: 2 pieces of cabin baggage, maximum 7 kg each (14 kg total)
- Maximum dimensions: Combined length, breadth, and width must not exceed 115 cm
Checked Baggage
- Economy Class: 30 kg free checked baggage allowance
- Business Class: 40 kg free checked baggage allowance
- Maximum weight per piece: Individual items should not exceed 32 kg for safe handling
Prohibited and Restricted Items
Air Timor followed international aviation security regulations regarding prohibited items:
- Dangerous goods, flammable materials, explosives, and sharp objects are prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage
- Lithium batteries and power banks must be carried in cabin baggage only
- Oversized or special items such as sports equipment or musical instruments should be arranged in advance with the airline
Passengers requiring additional baggage beyond the standard allowance are advised to contact the airline or booking platform in advance, as pre-purchasing excess baggage is typically more affordable than paying at the airport counter.
Check-in Guide
Airport Counter Check-in
Air Timor provided airport counter check-in at all departure airports. The recommended arrival times were:
- All flights: At least 2 hours before departure
Specific check-in counter details at each airport were as follows:
- Dili (Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport): Counter MI295, open during scheduled check-in hours before each departure
- Singapore (Changi Airport Terminal 2): Counters 9 or 10, Row 2. For the Singapore to Dili service (Flight MI 296), check-in opened from 7:00 AM to 8:45 AM
- Kupang (El Tari International Airport): Counter 8B 118, open from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for scheduled departures
Online Check-in
Air Timor did not offer online check-in services. All passengers were required to check in at the airport counter during the designated check-in window. Arriving early was strongly recommended, particularly during peak travel seasons and public holidays in Timor-Leste and Singapore.
Cabin Classes and In-Flight Experience
Business Class (Airbus A319)
On the Singapore to Dili route operated with the Airbus A319, Air Timor offered a Business Class cabin with 16 seats. Business Class passengers enjoyed:
- Wider seats with extra legroom and recline
- Priority boarding and disembarkation
- Enhanced meal service
- Priority baggage handling at arrival
- Generous 40 kg checked baggage allowance
Economy Class
Economy Class was available on both the A319 (102 seats on the Singapore to Dili route) and the ATR 72-600 (72 seats on the Dili to Kupang route). Economy Class features included:
- Standard seat pitch suitable for regional flights
- Complimentary meal service on the Singapore to Dili route
- 30 kg checked baggage allowance
In-Flight Meals
On the longer Singapore to Dili route (approximately 3.5 hours), passengers received complimentary in-flight meals. Meal options typically included a main course and beverage. On the shorter Dili to Kupang route operated by the ATR 72-600, meal service was more limited given the brief flight duration of under one hour.
In-Flight Entertainment
Dedicated in-flight entertainment systems were not available on Air Timor flights. Passengers were encouraged to bring personal devices loaded with entertainment content for the journey.
Passenger Policies and Special Services
Travelling with Children and Infants
- Children (2 to 11 years): Must be accompanied by at least one adult passenger and require their own seat and ticket
- Infants (under 2 years): May travel on an accompanying adult's lap with a reduced infant fare. Only one infant is permitted per accompanying adult
- Required documents: Valid birth certificate or passport for all child and infant passengers
Pregnant Passengers
- Passengers in early to mid stages of pregnancy could fly without additional documentation
- A medical fitness-to-fly certificate was recommended for passengers beyond 28 weeks of pregnancy
- Passengers beyond 36 weeks of pregnancy (single pregnancy) or 32 weeks (multiple pregnancy) were generally not accepted for travel
- Passengers are advised to consult their healthcare provider before booking and to carry medical documentation when flying in later stages of pregnancy
Passengers Requiring Special Assistance
Air Timor provided assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, visual or hearing impairments, and other special needs. Available services included:
- Wheelchair assistance from check-in through boarding and disembarkation
- Priority seating arrangements for passengers with medical conditions
- Assistance from cabin crew during the flight
Passengers requiring special assistance or those needing to bring medical equipment on board were advised to notify the airline at least 48 hours before departure to ensure arrangements could be made.
Unaccompanied Minors
- Children under 6 years: Must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times and were not eligible for the unaccompanied minor service
- Children aged 6 to 12 years: Eligible for the unaccompanied minor service, providing supervision from departure gate to arrival
Parents or guardians were required to complete the necessary documentation and ensure a designated responsible adult was present at both departure and arrival airports.
Reschedule, Cancellation, and Refund Policy
Rescheduling Flights
To reschedule an Air Timor flight booked through Traveloka:
- Open the Traveloka app or website and navigate to My Booking
- Select the booking you wish to modify
- Choose the reschedule option and select a new available flight
- Pay any applicable rescheduling fees or fare differences
Rescheduling availability and fees depended on the fare type purchased. Flexible fares typically allowed changes with lower or waived fees, while promotional fares carried stricter change conditions.
Cancellations and Refunds
Refund eligibility depended on the ticket type:
- Fully refundable fares: Eligible for a full refund upon cancellation
- Partially refundable fares: A cancellation fee was deducted from the refund amount
- Non-refundable promotional fares: Could be converted into travel credit for future bookings
To request a cancellation or refund, passengers could visit their booking details on the Traveloka app or website and follow the guided process. Refund processing typically took 7 to 30 business days depending on the payment method used.
Airline-Initiated Cancellations
If Air Timor cancelled a flight, affected passengers were generally entitled to a full refund or rebooking on the next available service at no additional cost. Traveloka's customer support team could assist with any disruptions.
Why Book Air Timor Flights on Traveloka
Booking flights to Dili and other Timor-Leste destinations through Traveloka offers Malaysian travellers several advantages:
- Easy fare comparison — Compare flights from multiple airlines on a single platform, sorted by price, departure time, and duration
- Flexible payment options — Pay with credit or debit cards, bank transfers, Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, ShopeePay, or instalment plans
- Instant e-ticket — Receive your booking confirmation immediately via email and the Traveloka app
- 24/7 customer support — Multilingual support team available around the clock for booking issues, cancellations, or travel queries
- Promotions and deals — Access exclusive Traveloka promos, flash sales, and promo codes for discounted fares
- Loyalty rewards — Earn Traveloka Points on every booking, redeemable for discounts on future flights, hotels, and activities
- Comprehensive travel platform — Book flights, hotels, airport transfers, and travel insurance in one place for a seamless trip to Timor-Leste
Tips for Finding Cheap Flights on Traveloka
Use these strategies to secure the best fares when booking flights to Dili and other destinations in the region:
- Book early — Flight prices generally increase as the departure date approaches, so booking several weeks in advance can result in significant savings
- Be flexible with travel dates — Use Traveloka's fare calendar feature to compare prices across different days and find the most affordable options
- Fly midweek — Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to offer lower fares compared to weekends and Mondays
- Set Price Alerts — Activate Traveloka's Price Alert feature to receive instant notifications when fares drop on your preferred route
- Check the promotions page — Visit Traveloka's promo page regularly for flash sales, exclusive promo codes, and seasonal deals
- Travel during off-peak seasons — Avoid peak travel periods such as school holidays, Christmas, and New Year for lower fares
- Bundle your trip — Book flights together with hotels on Traveloka for additional bundle discounts
- Compare connecting routes — Sometimes flying via Singapore or Bali to reach Dili can be more affordable than a direct routing
How to Book Flight Tickets on Traveloka
Follow these steps to book your flight on Traveloka:
- Visit traveloka.com or open the Traveloka app and navigate to the Flights section
- Enter your departure city (e.g., Kuala Lumpur) and destination (e.g., Dili), select your travel dates, and specify the number of passengers
- Tap the search button to view all available flights for your route, including options from multiple airlines
- Sort results by price, departure time, or duration, and apply filters to narrow your options
- Select your preferred flight and review the fare details, including baggage allowance and fare rules
- Enter passenger details — full name (as shown on passport or ID), date of birth, nationality, and contact information
- Add optional extras such as additional baggage, seat selection, or travel insurance
- Review your booking summary including the total fare, taxes, fees, and any add-ons
- Choose your preferred payment method — credit card, debit card, bank transfer, Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, ShopeePay, or instalment plan — and complete the transaction
- Receive your e-ticket instantly via email and the Traveloka app, and save or print it for reference at the airport