Bali expands connectivity to Canberra with new Virgin Australia route

Denpasar (ANTARA) - Bali Province has opened a new flight route to Australia, specifically to the capital city of Canberra, from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.

“I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali Airport welcomed the inaugural flight of Virgin Australia on the Canberra (CBR)-Denpasar (DPS) route. The opening of this new route further strengthens international connectivity with Australia,” said General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Nugroho Jati.

Nugroho Jati stated in Denpasar on Wednesday that the inaugural flight with Virgin Australia took place on Monday evening (22/6).

Departing from Canberra, 165 passengers flew to the Island of the Gods using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with flight number VA127, landing at 21.02 Central Indonesian Time (WITA).

The same aircraft then departed back to Canberra at 22.39 WITA on the same day, carrying 68 passengers under flight number VA128.

Nugroho Jati explained that the Canberra-Denpasar route is actually a reopening or reactivation of a route that had previously operated.

Nevertheless, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport welcomed the development positively and enthusiastically, expressing appreciation to all parties, including Virgin Australia, for realising the Canberra-Bali connection.

“This demonstrates the strong appeal of Bali in the Australian tourist market,” he said.

“This is certainly a positive signal regarding the increasingly close air connectivity between Bali and Australia, and it is hoped that it will have a positive multiplier effect on the tourism sector, the economy, and other supporting sectors,” Nugroho Jati added.

The Virgin Australia Canberra-Denpasar route and its return leg will operate regularly, served three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during the 2026 summer season.

The opening of the Canberra route adds to the number of destinations in Australia connected to Bali. Australia is now the country with the most flight routes served by I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali Airport, with a total of 12 routes.

“The operation of this route also makes Canberra the 41st international route now served by I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali Airport through direct flights operated by 43 airlines,” said Nugroho Jati.

Furthermore, Australia still ranks first as the country with the highest number of foreign tourist arrivals to Bali up to May 2026, totalling 664 thousand tourists.