BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has expanded its international connectivity with the launch of two new flight routes to Australia, operated by Jetstar, further strengthening travel access between Bali and key Australian regions.
The two routes include Avalon (AVV) and Sunshine Coast (MCY), marking both the return of a previously suspended connection and the introduction of a new direct service to Bali.
General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Nugroho Jati, stated on Wednesday (March 25) that the Avalon–Denpasar route officially resumed on Monday (March 23), while the Sunshine Coast route represents the first-ever direct flight connecting the region to Bali.
“The opening of these routes reflects positive collaboration between airport operators and airlines in supporting aviation and tourism growth,” Nugroho said.
The inaugural Jetstar flight from Avalon (JQ49) landed in Bali at 20:56 WITA and departed again at 23:03 WITA (JQ50), carrying 222 passengers. Meanwhile, the first Sunshine Coast flight (JQ86) arrived on Wednesday (March 25) at 13:52 WITA with 229 passengers on board.
The Avalon route is scheduled to operate five times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The Sunshine Coast route will operate three times weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Australia continues to be Bali’s largest source of international visitors. In the first two months of 2026 alone, Bali recorded 240,897 Australian arrivals. In 2025, the number reached approximately 1.6 million, making Australia the top contributor to Bali’s tourism sector.
With the addition of Avalon and Sunshine Coast, Bali is now directly connected to 11 Australian destinations, including Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Darwin, Cairns, and Newcastle.
Nugroho emphasized that the expansion of flight routes is expected to further strengthen tourism flows and economic activity between Indonesia and Australia.
“We will continue to support the development of both domestic and international flight networks to reinforce Bali’s position as a world-class tourism destination,” he added.
The new routes also provide more travel options for passengers between Indonesia and Australia, particularly for tourists and returning visitors seeking alternative entry points beyond major Australian cities.