
Australians eager for a tropical getaway will soon find it even easier to reach Bali. Starting Saturday, March 22, 2025, Indonesia AirAsia will launch a direct international route connecting Denpasar, Bali, to Darwin, Australia.
“Bali has become our largest hub in terms of flight capacity due to the high demand. We’re witnessing not only strong interest in flights to and from Bali—still a favorite destination for Australians—but also in connecting flights to over 130 destinations across Asia and beyond through the extensive AirAsia Group network,” shared Indonesia AirAsia CEO Veranita Yosephine in an official statement.
This new route will operate three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—offering more than 1,000 seats weekly.
AirAsia flight QZ 540 will depart Denpasar at 11:40 AM WITA and arrive in Darwin at 3:55 PM local time. The return flight, QZ 541, will leave Darwin at 4:35 PM and land back in Denpasar at 5:55 PM WITA.
Passengers seeking onward travel to destinations like Phuket can also take advantage of AirAsia’s Fly Thru service, ensuring a seamless journey via Bali.
For the people of Northern Territory, this route fulfills a long-standing demand. Rob Porter, Executive General Manager Airports at Airport Development Group, highlighted the importance of the connection.
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“Bali has long been the number one holiday destination for Darwin residents, and this flight will encourage even more travelers to start their adventures in Indonesia. This partnership goes beyond flights; it enhances our links with Asia, fosters cultural exchange, and strengthens business relations between the Northern Territory and its northern neighbors,” Porter explained.
Australian tourists have consistently been Bali’s largest international visitor group. In September 2024, Bali welcomed 625,665 international tourists, with 24.80% of them coming from Australia, according to Bali’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
This trend underscores the significant role Australia plays in Bali’s tourism industry. Data from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport reveals that Bali operates about 40 daily flights to nine Australian cities. Between January and July 2024, the airport recorded 7.9 million international passengers, with Australians making up 58% of this total.
The introduction of this new route not only enhances accessibility but also strengthens the cultural and economic ties between Bali and Australia. With such robust travel demand and strategic connectivity, the collaboration between Indonesia and Australia is set to reach new heights.