Jetstar flights cancelled, delayed as GPS navigation disrupted
A number of Jetstar's new Airbus planes have suffered a fault in their navigation system, prompting the cancellation and delay of flights over the past 24 hours, the company said.
The problem affecting the Global Positioning System (GPS), which has happened just days after the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a warning about solar flare activity, forced the cancellation of a Melbourne-Bali flight on Wednesday.
That cancellation caused subsequent delays of flights to Bali, Fiji and Hobart from Australia's east coast on Thursday.
The aircraft received a fault message with their GPS 'requiring the system to be reset before the flight departs', a Jetstar spokesperson said, which caused 'a small number of disruptions to flights'.
'Engineers have inspected the aircraft and have determined the multiple aircraft GPS systems continue to operate and transmit signals,' Jetstar said.
'There has been minimal impact to our operation, and we thank our customers for their patience if they have experienced any delays while engineers conduct system resets.'
While the exact cause of the system fault, was unconfirmed, astronomers have warned of increased solar storms in the next days and weeks, as an active part of the sun rotates into view.
On May 20, the NOAA issued a warning about solar flare activity adding it 'can cause interference for sensitive receivers including radar, GPS, and satellite communications'.
While all the Jetstar planes involved were Airbus A320 Neos and A321 Neos, which are among the newest in the airline's fleet, the GPS fault has reportedly also occurred on planes globally, including Boeing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
EOFY 2025: Best flight, hotel and luggage deals
It's not June 30 yet but already travel brands are dropping exceptional deals in our laps. So far I've seen discounts running as high as 72 per cent off and everything from flights, hotels, luggage and travel insurance to theme parks tickets and eSIMs on the chopping block. If there was ever a good time to book an entire holiday on discount, now would be it. Starting with hotels, Luxury Escapes has you sorted with resort stays for thousands of dollars less. Saving you the big bucks, five night getaways at Samabe Bali Suites & Villas will set you back $3999 per villa (valued up to $14,965) and includes all meals, nightly cocktails and your own private pool. The term "dreamy" is an understatement. If you're still eyeing a White Lotus-inspired Thai holiday, Flight Centre can sort you out with 60 per cent off stays at the Kamala Beach Resort in Phuket. This adults-only bolthole is blessed with beach views and this deal includes an upgrade to a Deluxe Room. At $330 per person for eight nights, it's wildly affordable, but you need to jump on this deal as it ends June 6. To get you to your destination, Flight Centre's got loads of seats at eye wateringly low prices. Highlights include New Zealand flights from $389 return on Jetstar, Fiji flights from $609 return on Fiji Airways and London flights from $1525 return on Cathay Pacific. Want to splash out on business class? There's premium flight deals too with seats to Singapore at the pointy end of the plane down to $3285 return. This EOFY, practically every luggage brand has jumped on board, slashing their cases by up to 50 per cent off. American Tourister, Antler, Myer and Strandbags are running these big numbers, while Samsonite has decided to go all-in with 40 per cent off sitewide. Yes, SITEWIDE. If you feel like playing the comparison (or the price match) game, The Iconic is well stocked with Samsonite, Nere and American Tourister. Most are already discounted by 40 per cent off, but hey, if you find it cheaper, why not call in that price match guarantee? Not fussed about brand names? Amazon's Mid-Year sale is riddled with lesser known brands and designer dupes for a steal. We're crushing over this $80 Inateck Travel Backpack. With its 46.2L capacity, laptop sleep and 1000+ reviews, it's the ultimate cabin backpack. Amazons Basic's suitcase range is also worth a gander. They've received over 51,000 reviews and start from $89.85. In other travel deals, Klook is running Travel Deal Days where theme parks, tours, eSIMs and cruises across the world are up to half price, WAS Insurance is saving you that much more (10 per cent to be exact) on policies with the code WISESILENT10 and trtl's in-flight accessory bundles are up to 40 per cent less. Because comfort is key to a great flight. Deals are dropping daily, and we'll do our best to keep you across all that are worth knowing about. In the meantime, keep scrolling for the best of the best you can snap up today. BEST END OF FINANCIAL YEAR FLIGHT SALES Virgin Australia Malaysia Airlines Brisbane to Kuala Lumpur from $749 Flight Centre Mix & Match Jetstar flights from $70 each way Skyscanner Last-minute flights from $86 Qatar Airways Europe flights from $1850 return Emirates London flights from $2019 return Etihad Airways BEST END OF FINANCIAL YEAR HOTEL DEALS Flight Centre Crystalbrook Byron Winter stays from $356 per suite 10 per cent off when you book direct 15 per cent off early bird bookings. Prepay and stay seven days in advance. Rise and Shine package: Score 15 per cent off the best available rate, breakfast for two, daily yoga and bicycle hire. Luxury Escapes Up to 58 per cent off Merusaka Nusa Dua, five nights form $1799 per room. All-inclusive with unlimited free-flow drinks. Up to 47 per cent off The Star Grand Hotel, two nights from $599 per room. Includes daily breakfast, $50 dining credit, late checkout and free parking. Up to 62 per cent off The Mulia, five-nights from $2899 per suite. Includes daily breakfast, daily lunch or dinner, two hours of free-flow cocktails, afternoon tea and canapes, beach club access, kids' club access and 24-hour butler service. Up to 71 per cent off The Haven Khao Lak, seven nights from $949 per room. Includes daily breakfast and lunch or dinner, two hours of daily free-flow cocktails, massages, shuttle and late checkout. Up to 50 per cent off InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, three nights from $799 per room. Includes daily breakfast, dining credit and daily cocktails. Escape Deals Save up to 20 per cent on stays worldwide. Book by September 30, 2025. Expedia Extra 10 per cent off for members Minimum 20 per cent off last-minute weekend stays Wotif BEST END OF FINANCIAL YEAR LUGGAGE SALES Myer The Iconic Amazon Australia Antler American Tourister Samsonite Strandbags Up to 50 per cent off handbags Up to 50 per cent off travel. Brands include Nere, Antler, Samsonite and Flylite BEST EOFY TRAVEL TECH AND ACCESSORY DEALS Yoto Amazon Australia trtl Up to 40 per cent off bundles TheRY The Iconic Myer Babybee FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE END OF FINANCIAL YEAR TRAVEL SALES Are flights cheaper at EOFY? Over the years the End of Financial Year sales have grown beyond whitegoods and homewares and now include anything and everything - including travel. Airlines and travel booking sites tend to host flight sales during this period, though not all will. Airlines that often hold EOFY sales include Jetstar and Virgin Australia. How long do EOFY sales last in Australia? The End of Financial Year sales officially run until June 30, which marks the end of the tax year. That said, not all brands and stores will end on this date. Some may end their sales earlier while others may extend until July.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Newcastle to Bali flights 'game-changer', Hunter tourism industry says
The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent. The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent. The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent. The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
International Newcastle Airport flights announced: Bali here we come
WILLIAMTOWN is officially the Hunter's gateway to the world, with Newcastle Airport securing its first ongoing international service beyond Australasia. Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar in Bali from October 21, linking the region to one of the country's most popular holiday destinations and enabling direct connections from there to more than 40 countries. The service will be formally announced on Tuesday morning. Bali-bound flights are planned to leave Newcastle at 9.30am on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from October 21 to land at 1.05pm Indonesian time. Return voyages are slated to depart Denpasar at 11.10pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the first week. From October 27 they are poised to leave at 10.20pm. They will arrive at 8.05am and 7.15am the next day, respectively. Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the route's arrival "shows what the Hunter is capable of when we aim high". "We're proud to be delivering what our region has long asked for ... direct international flights from their local airport," he said. "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. "Our long-term plan is to grow our international network, and we are working behind the scenes with several airlines about additional routes we may be able to provide." Newcastle will be Jetstar's tenth route to Bali. The new service will take slightly more than six hours and is scheduled to operate three times a week. The A321LR aircraft will provide more than 70,000 seats annually on the route. Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully described the route as an "exciting milestone". "Jetstar is committed to making travel more accessible, and people living in and around Newcastle will no longer need to drive to other airports to fly overseas, which means more time and money can go toward their holiday," she said. While the Port Stephens hub has previously flown to New Zealand directly, that service has been available only seasonally. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said it was "a historic moment" and paid tribute to the contributions of the two councils, Port Stephens and Newcastle, that co-own the airport. "This means a lot to the people of Port Stephens and the Hunter," she said. "Becoming an international airport isn't easy, there are a whole lot of people who have pushed for this for years." Jude Munro, the Newcastle Airport chair, thanked Jetstar for its show of faith. "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," she said. "We look forward to working with all levels of government to be the airport our region deserves." Newcastle Airport's $250 million international terminal expansion is slated for completion in August 2025. NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper, whose government is backing the service through its Aviation Attraction Fund, said the route would boost the airport's capacity and "open the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast to a major South-East Asian transport hub and a wealth of opportunity". Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the new link was "just the beginning". "This is a game changer for the Hunter," Ms Catley said. "We're not just opening the door to Bali - we're opening our region up to the world. "With more direct international flights, we're positioning the Hunter as a tourism Mecca. It's about making it easier for the people who live here to explore the world and for the world to discover everything we have here." News of the Bali flights comes just days after the airport revealed it would fly direct to Perth three times a week from September this year. The flurry of announcements follows a period of expansion at the Williamtown site, including the construction of the new international terminal. A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial injection of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt amid its expansion. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems and says it has more than tripled its investment over the past decade. It said revenue across passenger facilitation and property and commercial activities was $42 million this financial year. Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson acknowledged the federal government's $121 million investment in delivering international capability. She said she was excited that the council's ownership of the expanded airport could pay off handsomely for ratepayers. "This asset is going to be so important for us as a council," she said. "When shareholder dividends return, we've got lots of plans for that money." Cr Anderson said she had been to Bali "on quite a few occasions" but was looking forward to avoiding the trip to Sydney to depart. "Bags are packed, I'm ready to go," she said. WILLIAMTOWN is officially the Hunter's gateway to the world, with Newcastle Airport securing its first ongoing international service beyond Australasia. Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar in Bali from October 21, linking the region to one of the country's most popular holiday destinations and enabling direct connections from there to more than 40 countries. The service will be formally announced on Tuesday morning. Bali-bound flights are planned to leave Newcastle at 9.30am on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from October 21 to land at 1.05pm Indonesian time. Return voyages are slated to depart Denpasar at 11.10pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the first week. From October 27 they are poised to leave at 10.20pm. They will arrive at 8.05am and 7.15am the next day, respectively. Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the route's arrival "shows what the Hunter is capable of when we aim high". "We're proud to be delivering what our region has long asked for ... direct international flights from their local airport," he said. "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. "Our long-term plan is to grow our international network, and we are working behind the scenes with several airlines about additional routes we may be able to provide." Newcastle will be Jetstar's tenth route to Bali. The new service will take slightly more than six hours and is scheduled to operate three times a week. The A321LR aircraft will provide more than 70,000 seats annually on the route. Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully described the route as an "exciting milestone". "Jetstar is committed to making travel more accessible, and people living in and around Newcastle will no longer need to drive to other airports to fly overseas, which means more time and money can go toward their holiday," she said. While the Port Stephens hub has previously flown to New Zealand directly, that service has been available only seasonally. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said it was "a historic moment" and paid tribute to the contributions of the two councils, Port Stephens and Newcastle, that co-own the airport. "This means a lot to the people of Port Stephens and the Hunter," she said. "Becoming an international airport isn't easy, there are a whole lot of people who have pushed for this for years." Jude Munro, the Newcastle Airport chair, thanked Jetstar for its show of faith. "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," she said. "We look forward to working with all levels of government to be the airport our region deserves." Newcastle Airport's $250 million international terminal expansion is slated for completion in August 2025. NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper, whose government is backing the service through its Aviation Attraction Fund, said the route would boost the airport's capacity and "open the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast to a major South-East Asian transport hub and a wealth of opportunity". Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the new link was "just the beginning". "This is a game changer for the Hunter," Ms Catley said. "We're not just opening the door to Bali - we're opening our region up to the world. "With more direct international flights, we're positioning the Hunter as a tourism Mecca. It's about making it easier for the people who live here to explore the world and for the world to discover everything we have here." News of the Bali flights comes just days after the airport revealed it would fly direct to Perth three times a week from September this year. The flurry of announcements follows a period of expansion at the Williamtown site, including the construction of the new international terminal. A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial injection of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt amid its expansion. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems and says it has more than tripled its investment over the past decade. It said revenue across passenger facilitation and property and commercial activities was $42 million this financial year. Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson acknowledged the federal government's $121 million investment in delivering international capability. She said she was excited that the council's ownership of the expanded airport could pay off handsomely for ratepayers. "This asset is going to be so important for us as a council," she said. "When shareholder dividends return, we've got lots of plans for that money." Cr Anderson said she had been to Bali "on quite a few occasions" but was looking forward to avoiding the trip to Sydney to depart. "Bags are packed, I'm ready to go," she said. WILLIAMTOWN is officially the Hunter's gateway to the world, with Newcastle Airport securing its first ongoing international service beyond Australasia. Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar in Bali from October 21, linking the region to one of the country's most popular holiday destinations and enabling direct connections from there to more than 40 countries. The service will be formally announced on Tuesday morning. Bali-bound flights are planned to leave Newcastle at 9.30am on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from October 21 to land at 1.05pm Indonesian time. Return voyages are slated to depart Denpasar at 11.10pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the first week. From October 27 they are poised to leave at 10.20pm. They will arrive at 8.05am and 7.15am the next day, respectively. Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the route's arrival "shows what the Hunter is capable of when we aim high". "We're proud to be delivering what our region has long asked for ... direct international flights from their local airport," he said. "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. "Our long-term plan is to grow our international network, and we are working behind the scenes with several airlines about additional routes we may be able to provide." Newcastle will be Jetstar's tenth route to Bali. The new service will take slightly more than six hours and is scheduled to operate three times a week. The A321LR aircraft will provide more than 70,000 seats annually on the route. Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully described the route as an "exciting milestone". "Jetstar is committed to making travel more accessible, and people living in and around Newcastle will no longer need to drive to other airports to fly overseas, which means more time and money can go toward their holiday," she said. While the Port Stephens hub has previously flown to New Zealand directly, that service has been available only seasonally. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said it was "a historic moment" and paid tribute to the contributions of the two councils, Port Stephens and Newcastle, that co-own the airport. "This means a lot to the people of Port Stephens and the Hunter," she said. "Becoming an international airport isn't easy, there are a whole lot of people who have pushed for this for years." Jude Munro, the Newcastle Airport chair, thanked Jetstar for its show of faith. "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," she said. "We look forward to working with all levels of government to be the airport our region deserves." Newcastle Airport's $250 million international terminal expansion is slated for completion in August 2025. NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper, whose government is backing the service through its Aviation Attraction Fund, said the route would boost the airport's capacity and "open the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast to a major South-East Asian transport hub and a wealth of opportunity". Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the new link was "just the beginning". "This is a game changer for the Hunter," Ms Catley said. "We're not just opening the door to Bali - we're opening our region up to the world. "With more direct international flights, we're positioning the Hunter as a tourism Mecca. It's about making it easier for the people who live here to explore the world and for the world to discover everything we have here." News of the Bali flights comes just days after the airport revealed it would fly direct to Perth three times a week from September this year. The flurry of announcements follows a period of expansion at the Williamtown site, including the construction of the new international terminal. A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial injection of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt amid its expansion. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems and says it has more than tripled its investment over the past decade. It said revenue across passenger facilitation and property and commercial activities was $42 million this financial year. Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson acknowledged the federal government's $121 million investment in delivering international capability. She said she was excited that the council's ownership of the expanded airport could pay off handsomely for ratepayers. "This asset is going to be so important for us as a council," she said. "When shareholder dividends return, we've got lots of plans for that money." Cr Anderson said she had been to Bali "on quite a few occasions" but was looking forward to avoiding the trip to Sydney to depart. "Bags are packed, I'm ready to go," she said. WILLIAMTOWN is officially the Hunter's gateway to the world, with Newcastle Airport securing its first ongoing international service beyond Australasia. Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar in Bali from October 21, linking the region to one of the country's most popular holiday destinations and enabling direct connections from there to more than 40 countries. The service will be formally announced on Tuesday morning. Bali-bound flights are planned to leave Newcastle at 9.30am on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from October 21 to land at 1.05pm Indonesian time. Return voyages are slated to depart Denpasar at 11.10pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the first week. From October 27 they are poised to leave at 10.20pm. They will arrive at 8.05am and 7.15am the next day, respectively. Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the route's arrival "shows what the Hunter is capable of when we aim high". "We're proud to be delivering what our region has long asked for ... direct international flights from their local airport," he said. "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. "Our long-term plan is to grow our international network, and we are working behind the scenes with several airlines about additional routes we may be able to provide." Newcastle will be Jetstar's tenth route to Bali. The new service will take slightly more than six hours and is scheduled to operate three times a week. The A321LR aircraft will provide more than 70,000 seats annually on the route. Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully described the route as an "exciting milestone". "Jetstar is committed to making travel more accessible, and people living in and around Newcastle will no longer need to drive to other airports to fly overseas, which means more time and money can go toward their holiday," she said. While the Port Stephens hub has previously flown to New Zealand directly, that service has been available only seasonally. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said it was "a historic moment" and paid tribute to the contributions of the two councils, Port Stephens and Newcastle, that co-own the airport. "This means a lot to the people of Port Stephens and the Hunter," she said. "Becoming an international airport isn't easy, there are a whole lot of people who have pushed for this for years." Jude Munro, the Newcastle Airport chair, thanked Jetstar for its show of faith. "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," she said. "We look forward to working with all levels of government to be the airport our region deserves." Newcastle Airport's $250 million international terminal expansion is slated for completion in August 2025. NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper, whose government is backing the service through its Aviation Attraction Fund, said the route would boost the airport's capacity and "open the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast to a major South-East Asian transport hub and a wealth of opportunity". Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the new link was "just the beginning". "This is a game changer for the Hunter," Ms Catley said. "We're not just opening the door to Bali - we're opening our region up to the world. "With more direct international flights, we're positioning the Hunter as a tourism Mecca. It's about making it easier for the people who live here to explore the world and for the world to discover everything we have here." News of the Bali flights comes just days after the airport revealed it would fly direct to Perth three times a week from September this year. The flurry of announcements follows a period of expansion at the Williamtown site, including the construction of the new international terminal. A Newcastle Herald investigation previously revealed the airport had been in discussions with councils to access a financial injection of up to $40 million, and had been working to rein in spending and pay off escalating debt amid its expansion. The airport has repeatedly denied any financial problems and says it has more than tripled its investment over the past decade. It said revenue across passenger facilitation and property and commercial activities was $42 million this financial year. Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson acknowledged the federal government's $121 million investment in delivering international capability. She said she was excited that the council's ownership of the expanded airport could pay off handsomely for ratepayers. "This asset is going to be so important for us as a council," she said. "When shareholder dividends return, we've got lots of plans for that money." Cr Anderson said she had been to Bali "on quite a few occasions" but was looking forward to avoiding the trip to Sydney to depart. "Bags are packed, I'm ready to go," she said.
