In a significant development for air travel in the Australian Capital Territory, Virgin Australia has confirmed it will commence direct flights from Canberra to Bali for the very first time. This historic move marks the airline's inaugural international service operating out of the nation's capital, enhancing global connectivity for the region.
New Route Details and Launch Schedule
The direct flights are scheduled to begin on June 22, with three return services operating each week. Departures from Canberra will occur in the afternoon, with return flights arriving back overnight. Tickets for the new route went on sale on Wednesday, January 28, with the most affordable return fares starting from $399.
Virgin Australia's chief executive Dave Emerson emphasised the importance of this expansion, stating, "This is the first time in the history of the company that we will operate internationally from the capital." He described the new service as "a significant win for the ACT" that will substantially strengthen the territory's international travel options.
Competitive Positioning and Market Response
Emerson further noted that Virgin Australia will become the only Australia-based airline operating international flights from Canberra Airport, and the exclusive carrier on this particular Canberra-Bali route. This positions the airline uniquely in the market as it taps into one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations.
Canberra Airport chief executive Stephen Byron welcomed the announcement, commenting, "Bali is one of Australia's most popular international holiday destinations, and we know this service will be warmly welcomed by travellers across the region." The new route represents a strategic addition to the airport's international offerings.
Current International Services from Canberra
Presently, only two other non-Australian airlines operate international flights from Canberra Airport: Fiji Airways and Qatar Airways. This follows the permanent withdrawal of Malaysian carrier Batik Air, which suspended its Denpasar-Canberra route after experiencing severe operational difficulties, including website problems.
In 2024, Batik Air expressed regret over the temporary suspension of its Bali-Canberra service, acknowledging concerns from affected passengers. However, what began as a temporary measure ultimately became a permanent cessation, creating an opportunity in the market that Virgin Australia is now filling.
Broader Expansion at Canberra Airport
Virgin Australia's Bali announcement follows closely on last week's news that Jetstar will expand its Canberra-Brisbane service. The budget carrier, owned by Qantas, plans to deploy larger aircraft on the route to accommodate more passengers while potentially lowering costs.
Additional developments at the airport include Fly Pelican commencing three weekly flights to Avalon, west of Melbourne, in October, and Qatar Airways resuming services at the end of 2025. Despite these positive additions, airport traffic has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Post-Pandemic Travel Patterns
Before COVID-19, Canberra Airport handled more than three million passengers annually. Current figures show the airport is just short of reaching that three million passenger mark again. A significant factor in this shortfall is the absence of Singapore Airlines, which withdrew from Canberra during the pandemic and has not resumed services despite meetings between ACT chief minister Andrew Barr and airline executives.
Another notable shift has occurred in domestic travel patterns. Prior to the pandemic, Sydney was the most popular destination for Canberra travellers. Today, it ranks third, with fewer passengers flying between the two cities than before. Melbourne and Brisbane have now become the top destinations for Canberra passengers according to airport statistics.
Factors Influencing Travel Choices
Several factors may explain the changing travel preferences. In 2023, Qantas flight cancellations on the Canberra-Sydney route were the worst of any domestic route in Australia. Additionally, air travel between the two cities faces intense competition from ground transport options.
Train services provide an alternative, but buses offer particularly strong competition. New operator FlixBus has recently commenced services on the route, while established provider Murrays Coaches offers city-centre to city-centre travel times comparable to flying at significantly lower prices.
Fleet Upgrades and Fare Structures
In related aviation news, Jetstar confirmed last week that from April it will upgrade aircraft on its Canberra-Brisbane route. The airline will replace smaller A320 planes with Airbus A321LR aircraft, which provide 52 additional seats per flight. One-way fares on this route will start from $129.
Jetstar already operates direct routes from Canberra to the Gold Coast with fares from $81 and to Melbourne from $93, providing budget-conscious travellers with multiple options from the capital.
The collective expansion of services represents a positive trend for Canberra Airport, though the aviation landscape continues to evolve in response to changing passenger preferences, competitive pressures, and the ongoing recovery from pandemic-related disruptions.
