MANGUPURA — Efforts to strengthen Bali’s tourism accessibility continue to gain momentum as Ngurah Rai International Airport introduces two new direct flight routes from Australia—Avalon and Sunshine Coast—operated by Jetstar Airways.
The launch of these routes marks a strategic move to enhance international connectivity and further support Bali’s tourism sector, which heavily relies on seamless air access.
General Manager of Ngurah Rai International Airport, Nugroho Jati, said the addition of the new routes reflects the strong demand from Australian travelers for Bali as a top destination.
“We highly appreciate the return of the Avalon route and the launch of the Sunshine Coast route, which is now directly connected to Bali for the first time. This further reinforces Bali’s position as a leading destination for international tourists, particularly from Australia,” he said.
The Avalon–Denpasar route resumed operations on Monday (March 23), marked by the arrival of Jetstar flight JQ49 at 8:56 PM local time. The aircraft later departed back to Avalon carrying 222 passengers.
Meanwhile, the Sunshine Coast–Denpasar route made its debut with Jetstar flight JQ86 landing in Bali on Wednesday (March 25) at 1:52 PM, bringing 229 passengers on board.
In terms of frequency, the Avalon route operates five times a week, while the Sunshine Coast route runs three times weekly, providing more travel options and strengthening Bali’s international flight network.
Australia remains Bali’s largest source of international visitors. In the first two months of 2026 alone, Bali welcomed 240,897 Australian tourists. Throughout 2025, the number reached approximately 1.6 million visitors.
With these additions, Bali is now directly connected to 11 cities in Australia, including Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Darwin, Cairns, and Newcastle.
According to Nugroho, expanding air connectivity plays a crucial role in sustaining tourism growth. Improved flight access not only facilitates tourist mobility but also drives economic activity across sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and local businesses.
“The opening of these routes is expected to further strengthen connectivity between Indonesia and Australia, while also contributing positively to economic growth, particularly in tourism and its supporting industries,” he added.
Looking ahead, the airport, along with key stakeholders, remains committed to expanding both domestic and international flight networks as part of a broader strategy to reinforce Bali’s position as a world-class tourism destination supported by strong and competitive air connectivity.***
