Business groups back Jetstar's Western Sydney - Denpasar flights

By Andrew Curran.

Western Sydney-based business groups have thrown their support behind planned Jetstar flights between the newly opened Western Sydney Airport and Denpasar. The Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce and Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue have told Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) that the flights would be a win for the region.

“Industry estimates indicate that Western Sydney residents account for approximately 44% of Australian trips to Indonesia,” the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue told the IASC in a November 3 submission.

“Bali represents an estimated 80% of this demand, equivalent to approximately 282,000 annual trips originating from Western Sydney. Introducing services from a second Sydney airport would broaden consumer choice and support competition across the Sydney aviation market.”

The IASC is weighing up competing claims by the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia for additional seats recently made available on the Australia – Indonesia country pair following updates to the air services agreements between the two countries.

Business groups say Denpasar flights a win for Western Sydney

In its application, among other proposed flights, the Qantas Group said it wanted to start three-times-weekly A321-200N-operated flights between Western Sydney and Denpasar in mid-March. Western Sydney Airport only opened to passenger flights late last month and is actively seeking airline customers.

“We respectfully encourage the International Air Services Commission to consider this proposal, given the significant benefits it will deliver for tourism, trade, connectivity, and economic growth across Western Sydney and Australia,” the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce said in its November 2 submission.

“Direct air access is critical to supporting Western Sydney's continued growth as a major visitor destination and economic hub.”

In the year to July 31, 2026, Indonesia was the third most visited country by travellers departing Australia, after New Zealand and Singapore, according to Australian Government data. Almost 4.7 million passengers flew between Australia and Indonesia over the 12-month period, with the vast majority travelling to and from Denpasar.

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue submission says the area surrounding the newly opened airport is home to around 2.8 million people, including a substantial Indonesian diaspora.

“The number of Greater Western Sydney residents who speak Bahasa Indonesia at home grew more than 1,000% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses,” the submission says. “These residents are likely to utilise services both for return visits and for visiting family and friends.”

IASC may favour Western Sydney - Denpasar flight plan

The IASC is preparing to divvy up an additional 5,000 weekly seats in each direction between Australia and Denpasar and Jakarta (CGK). However, the Qantas Group's application is for almost the full 5,000 seats, while Virgin Australia's application is for slightly more, taking into account the small amount of capacity not already allocated.

Neither airline is likely to receive its full requested allocation, but unserved routes, such as Western Sydney – Denpasar, are likely to attract greater support from the IASC than requests simply to increase capacity on routes that are already well served.

A Qantas Group bid to secure enough seats to start a daily Perth (PER) – Jakarta (CGK) service has also attracted some public support, given that no Australian carrier currently operates on the route.

The IASC is accepting submissions concerning the additional capacity on the Australia – Indonesia country pair up to and including November 20, 2026.

Photo: Jetstar
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com