From Newy to Bali: how many people jumped on new international route

Whether jetting off for schoolies, a surfing trip, or a relaxing cultural immersion with the family, Bali has proved popular with Hunter residents taking advantage of Newcastle Airport's new international route.

Data has revealed that 1736 passengers flew on the new service in October last year after the launch of flights on October 21.

In total there were 11 flights across 11 days - five departing Newcastle and six returning from Bali - carrying an average of 158 passengers.

The route is serviced by A321LR aircraft, which can carry up to 232 passengers.

The first Jetstar flight to take off from Newcastle was close to capacity, with more than 200 people on board, ready for the sun, waves, jungle, and temples of the Aussie travel favourite.

After strong demand, Jetstar increased its Bali flights from three to four times a week in November.

The extra weekly flight added an extra 24,000 seats bound from the region to the Indonesian island annually.

Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the airport invested in international capability because "we knew our region would respond, and it has".

"The Bali service has been incredibly well supported, with strong forward bookings and flights operating with strong uptake," Mr Horton said.

"That demand is now translating into expanded connectivity, with the first Singapore service departing next week."

Mr Horton said the airport was in talks with international airlines, who were "all looking keenly at the performance of the Bali service".

"What they are saying to us is that it is very positive and gives them great confidence when they are doing their business cases for a Newcastle Airport service," he said.

"We are confident that we will have announcements to make in the short term. It's a real case of the region being rewarded for its uptake in using Newcastle Airport."

From March 24, the Bali flights will unlock a new destination for Hunter travellers, with same-plane one-stop flights through to Singapore.

Singapore's Changi Airport is one of the largest connecting airports in the world, and gives passengers access to more than 170 destinations in almost 50 countries.

The route realises a long-held ambition for the airport, which has eyed Singapore as a gateway for its passengers to countless other destinations.

The new service will depart Newcastle at 10am every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Bali at 1.35pm local time for a 90-minute stop, with passengers staying on the same plane.

The flight then departs Bali 3.05pm, landing in Singapore at 6pm.

The return trip departs Singapore 7.25pm every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and arrives in Newcastle at 7.40am the next day.

"We built an international airport and today the Hunter Region is flying to both Bali and Singapore, with more opportunities on the horizon," Mr Horton said.

Across the year to the end of October 2025, more than 1.2 million passengers took off or landed at the expanded Newcastle Airport, pipping the previous year by a couple of hundred passengers.