Newcastle Airport's international ambitions have received a significant boost with Jetstar announcing expanded services to Bali and a new connection to Singapore, just weeks after launching the Hunter's first permanent overseas route.
Fourth Weekly Bali Flight Confirmed
Jetstar will introduce a fourth weekly flight from Newcastle Airport to Denpasar, Bali starting March 2025, adding approximately 24,000 additional seats annually to the popular Indonesian destination. The expansion comes as a strong vote of confidence in the fledgling international service that only began operations recently.
Once the additional service commences, flights will depart from Williamtown on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday each week, giving Hunter residents more flexibility when planning their tropical getaways.
Singapore Connection Opens Global Gateway
In a major development for the region's travel options, Jetstar confirmed passengers can now travel to Singapore via the Bali flights. The service allows travellers to continue on the same aircraft after a 90-minute stopover in Denpasar, effectively creating a one-stop connection to one of Asia's most important aviation hubs.
Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton described the new Singapore connection as a game-changer for the region. "The addition of a fourth weekly Bali flight gives travellers more flexibility to reach Bali," Horton said. "This new Singapore connection shows Jetstar's belief in our region's potential and the success of our partnership with Destination NSW and Aviation Attraction Funding."
The Singapore link realises a long-held ambition for the airport, which has consistently identified the Southeast Asian city-state as a crucial gateway to countless international destinations. Horton had previously mentioned Singapore as a desired future route during interviews in October.
Strong Demand Drives Expansion
Ted Knight, Jetstar's head of network, fleet strategy and planning, said the airline had witnessed "incredible demand" for the Newcastle-Bali service since its launch. "We've seen incredible demand for our Newcastle-Bali flights since the launch, so it's great to be adding a fourth weekly service," Knight stated.
The expanded schedule means Hunter residents can leave Newcastle in the morning and be dining in Singapore by evening, with less than two hours between connecting flights in Bali.
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper welcomed the development, noting it would boost the Hunter's visitor economy. "This is Newcastle's first international route outside Australasia, and we are thrilled that demand has been so strong that Jetstar is adding a fourth weekly service," Kamper said.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington highlighted that the increased frequency demonstrated the success of government investment in the airport. The expansion signals growing confidence in the Hunter region's potential as an international travel hub and provides local residents with more convenient access to Asian destinations without the need to travel to Sydney.
