Newcastle Airport marked an historic milestone for the Hunter Region with Jetstar’s inaugural international flight to Bali taking off today.
Check-in for Jetstar JQ88 NTL–DPS opened at 6:30am with the moment marked by Balinese dancers plus a tropical breakfast available for travellers.
The new service will operate three times a week on Jetstar’s A321LR aircraft, giving travellers a faster, easier way to enjoy Bali’s stunning beaches, vibrant culture and hospitality.
Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said Jetstar has been with the airport from the start and is now helping to redefine what’s possible for the region by leading it into international travel.
“We have introduced direct flights to Perth, Hobart and Bali over the last six months and feedback from our airline partners is that they are all performing above expectations,” Horton said. “We know airlines are watching how the Hunter responds and we expect that strong demand for this service will lead to more flights and new international routes being added in the future.
“This new international connection to Bali opens doors to even greater opportunities for our region and strengthening ties between the Hunter and Indonesia.
“On a practical level this new service saves holiday makers the journey to Sydney and starts to solidify Newcastle Airport’s position as a genuine alternative for international travel.”
The service will deliver more than 70,000 seats each year between Newcastle and Bali, giving locals more choice and convenience when planning their next overseas getaway.
Mayor of Port Stephens and Newcastle Airport Director Leah Anderson said she was delighted to be on today’s inaugural flight with her family, noting this route was just the beginning of what’s ahead for Newcastle Airport.
“What a great day for the Newcastle Airport and for our region, everyone is smiling today and the vibe from the passengers today is electric,” Anderson said.
“Our $250 million airport expansion is unlocking major opportunities for tourism, business, investment and jobs for Port Stephens and the greater region, making the Hunter a more attractive destination for international tourists and a more convenient option for locals looking to explore the world.
“Global connectivity is now on our doorstep; we now ask our region to support these flights and show other airlines just how much demand there is from our region to travel.”
This milestone marks Newcastle Airport’s return to international travel and reinforces Jetstar’s commitment to making holidays more accessible and affordable for Australians.
Present at the event were EGM Airlines & Governance, Newcastle Airport, Andrew Warrender, Jetstar Head of Network & Planning, Ted Knight and Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson who cutting the first-flight cake – a time-honoured aviation tradition.
A water canon also saluted the first flight from Bali to Newcastle which landed at 07:35 this morning.
The launch comes just two weeks after Jetstar’s announcement of a new seasonal route between Newcastle and Hobart which takes-off on the 2nd of December.
To celebrate the inaugural flight, Jetstar is launching a 24-hour First Flight Sale with one-way fares from Newcastle to Bali (Denpasar) available from midday (AEDT) today from just $215 at jetstar.com.
