Jetstar’s new Newcastle–Denpasar route strengthens direct links between Australia and Bali, boosting tourism and economic ties.
On Tuesday, the 21st of October, Jetstar flight JQ 88, operated by an Airbus A320, touched down at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 1 PM local time for its inaugural flight, carrying 210 passengers from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The return flight, with the flight number JQ 89, is scheduled to depart for Newcastle on the following Wednesday (the 22nd of October), at 11 PM local time.
The launch of this route is historic for both countries, as Bali becomes the first international destination directly connected to Newcastle, following the airport’s opening to international flights.
Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, underscored how the new route reflects strong interest from Australian tourists in visiting Bali.
“For the first time, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is connected to Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. This route further expands access for Australian tourists to directly enjoy the beauty of Bali without having to transit in another city,” he told the press on Tuesday.
Shahab added that the route also enhances direct connectivity between Indonesia and Australia, representing a significant step forward for Bali’s tourism and economic sectors. Furthermore, it has been divulged that the Newcastle–Denpasar flight route will operate three times a week.
“We are confident that the Newcastle–Denpasar route will further strengthen relations between Indonesia and Australia, while positively impacting Bali’s tourism and economy,” he continued.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport currently offers direct flights to nine Australian cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Perth, the Gold Coast, and now Newcastle. This makes Australia the country with the highest connectivity at Bali’s sole international airport. In addition, as of September 2025, 1,250,999 Australians had arrived in Bali, making Australia one of the island’s largest sources of international tourists.
Overall, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport now serves 21 domestic routes and 38 international routes, with a total of 18.23 million passengers and 106,000 aircraft movements by September 2025.