The global oil crisis may be hitting headlines this week, but airline schedules are telling a very different story. Not only has AirAsia Indonesia just launched a new direct service to Bali, but low-cost carrier Jetstar has also opened a pioneering new route.
Bali will always be one of the most in-demand destinations in the world. It seems that no matter the geopolitical landscape, Bali remains amongst the top spots in the world to visit, or even escape to.
Bali is set to welcome more than 7 million international tourists in 2026, and millions more domestic tourists too. Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is the second busiest airport in the country, only after Jakarta, and things at the terminals are about to feel even busier.
Low-cost airline Jetstar has just launched its first-ever direct flight service from Melbourne Avalon Airport to Denpasar. Australian tourists remain the most frequent international arrivals to Bali, and more than 1.5 million Aussies visit the island each year.
Speaking to reporters, Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully noted that the launch is being celebrated as a proud moment for Jetstar and the region. Tully shared “This is Jetstar at its best, giving passengers more every day low fares, more choice, more seats and more ways that make travel possible for more Australians.”
Adding “Adding 330,000 seats a year out of Melbourne Avalon gives the region great value flights and with Bali now on the map, there has never been a better time to fly from Melbourne’s west” noting “Bali has always captured the hearts of Australians and now it’s more accessible than ever for the Geelong region and beyond and we thank Avalon Airport for their support.”
Connections between Melbourne and Bali are only improving at the moment; in fact, the regions are now more connected than ever… and increasingly affordably! There are more than 120 flights a week from Australia to the province. On the 21st March, Indonesia AirAsia also launched a direct flight service between Bali and Melbourne.
The new service is now operating daily and not only connects travelers between Bali and Melbourne but also destinations across Australia and Indonesia.
The Acting President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman, told reporters, “Melbourne is one of the most popular destinations for tourists, students, and business people from Indonesia, as well as a key market for Bali tourism. The opening of this route is an important step in our journey to strengthen our international network and expand our reach in the Asia & Australia region.”
The Melbourne-Denpasar service is operating on flight number QZ 411, and departs from Melbourne at 6 am daily, touching down in Bali at 8.35 am local time. The outbound service departs from Ngurah Rai at 8.10 pm, arriving in Melbourne at 5 am local time, on flight number QZ 410.
It is likely that the conflict in the Middle East will impact flight costs throughout 2026, so tourists planning on traveling to Bali are advised to snap up bargain flight deals while they can. What’s super important to remember is that tourist must take out their fully comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking flights, accommodation, and experiences.
With the risk of the conflict in the Middle East impacting flights as it did earlier this month, as well as the ever-present risk of natural disasters in Indonesia, it is more important than ever that travelers protect their purchases.
Before traveling to Bali, it is essential to read the policy document fully to understand what is and is not covered, as well as how to make a claim in the event of an emergency.
✅ VOTE RECORDED
It is important to understand what activities are covered by a policy, as some of Bali’s most popular bucket list experiences are not included in standard policies. Activities like ATV Riding, White Water Rafting, and even hiking up Mount Batur are classed as ‘adventure’ activities that require additional levels of cover.
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.