By aviation writer Scott Mayman

Canberra now has a direct holiday flight service with Bali.

Batik Air flew its maiden voyage on Friday, with plans to fly between Canberra and Denpasar three times a week using a Boeing 737-800 jet.

It means the carrier becomes the second airline in the past year to offer international flights from the national capital.

Earlier this year, Fiji Airways began a direct service, three times a week.

Batik Air helps reduce the flight time for on-going flights to other Asian destinations.

As a treat to mark the first flight, local Canberra gifts were offered to arriving passengers.

Canberra Airport is continuing with plans to see other direct international flights to Doha, Singapore and NZ among others.