Perth and Bali Routes transform Regional Travel

Source: Newcastle Airport

Skip the M1, park in front, and take off for your next adventure. Newcastle Airport announces two game-changing routes within a week – direct flights to Perth and Bali.

For years, the conversation has been the same. Whether you're a FIFO worker heading to the mines, a business traveler navigating endless connections, or someone dreaming of a Balinese getaway, getting anywhere from Newcastle has meant one thing: a trek to Sydney, queues, delays, and the dreaded M1 marathon.

Not anymore.

In a week that marked a transformational moment for regional aviation, Newcastle Airport delivered a double announcement that changes everything. From 8 September, Qantas will fly direct to Perth three times a week, while from 21 October 2025, Jetstar will operate Newcastle's first year-round international route with direct flights to Bali.

Perth: The Domestic Connection We've Been Waiting For The Perth route represents the flight connection Newcastle has been waiting for. Operating on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays, the five-hour journey eliminates the stopover in Sydney that has frustrated travellers for decades.

The demand has been overwhelming. Perth is the fifth most-travelled-to destination for people in the Newcastle Airport catchment. When the airport surveyed the community last year, more than 5,000 people responded in a single day, with 97% stating they would likely travel to Perth if direct flights were available.

The route will carry 900 passengers a week and 47,000 passengers annually on a 150-seat Airbus A319, injecting an estimated $21.7 million into the local economy each year and creating 74 jobs.

Bali: International Wings at Last

The Bali announcement brings even greater significance – it's Newcastle Airport's inaugural international service from the new terminal and will be operated by Jetstar, the airline that launched its very first commercial service from Newcastle in 2004.

Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said launching an ongoing international service with Jetstar was a historic moment for the region.

"Jetstar has been part of Newcastle Airport's story from the very beginning, and it's only fitting that they're the airline to take us into our international future," Mr Horton said.

Operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the Bali route will carry more than 70,000 passengers annually with a flight time of just under six hours. The service departs from Newcastle at 9:30am, arriving in Denpasar at 1:05pm, with return flights departing Bali at 10:20pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

A Region Transformed Both routes represent more than new destinations on the departures board – they're validation of Newcastle Airport's growth strategy and the region's economic importance.

The Perth route connects Newcastle directly with WA's resources sector, creating enormous potential for FIFO operations, while the Bali service eliminates the Sydney detour for Australia's most popular international holiday

destination.

"We've worked hard to secure these routes because they're what our community and extended region needs," Mr Horton said.

"The five-hour Perth service saves travellers a lengthy drive to Sydney and connects Newcastle directly with WA's resources sector."

Meanwhile, our new international connection to Bali is just the beginning, opening doors to even greater opportunities for the region."

The economic impact extends beyond passenger numbers. The Perth route unlocks international one-stop connections via Perth to cities such as London, Paris, Johannesburg and Rome, making Newcastle a genuine gateway to global destinations.

Neither route materialised by chance. The NSW Government's Aviation Activation Fund helped secure both services, with Jobs and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper describing the Perth route as "the last piece in the domestic puzzle" and the Bali service as "the start of a new era of growth for Newcastle and the Hunter region."

"The Minns Labor Government is proud to have worked with Newcastle Airport and airlines to secure these routes," Minister Kamper said.

"Not only will this strategic investment boost Newcastle Airport's capacity, but it will also open the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast to major transport hubs and a wealth of opportunity."

The New Era Begins

The announcements come at a transformational time for the Williamtown precinct, with the new international terminal due for completion in August 2025 as part of Newcastle Airport's ambitious $250 million expansion project.

Newcastle Airport Chair Jude Munro AO said international connectivity was a big step towards giving Newcastle an airport that matches its global outlook.

"Newcastle Airport will continue to secure new domestic and international routes for the region and grow as a significant gateway for international travel in NSW."

The flights Newcastle has been waiting for aren't just about reaching Perth or Bali - they're about what becomes possible when you can finally skip the M1 and fly anywhere - the Newy way.

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