Connectivity to Bali for Australian tourists is about to get even better. On 22nd June, Virgin Australia will launch a new direct service to Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport from Canberra.
This marks the start of opening up more travel options for holidaymakers and Bali lovers from the Australian Capital Territory. This is just the start; the schedule is filling up!
The new flight service from Virgin Australia comes alongside an announcement from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism confirming that a series of new routes will open up in the coming months, including from India and Vietnam.
With the conflict in the Middle East showing signs of continued negative impact on the leisure travel sector internationally, Indonesia is on a mission to ensure that visitor numbers remain high. With Australia amongst the most frequent international arrivals into travel hotspots like Bali, Indonesia is keen to ensure that top destinations like Bali remain the escape of choice for Aussies.
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has confirmed that it will be focusing on attracting more tourists from across Asia and Australia as the conflict in the Middle East risks a reduction in arrivals from the region and even Europe, as many long-haul flight routes layover in travel hubs like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha.
Bali-bound travellers from Australia are already seeing the benefits of newly opened flight routes. In March 2026, Sunshine Coast-Bali and Melbourne Avalon-Bali by Jetstar came into operation and are proving a hit with passengers, even three months in. With the new Virgin Australia Bali-Canberra service set to launch on 22nd June 2026, everything is moving in the right direction for both Bali travellers and the travel sector more broadly.
Speaking to reporters, Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana explained that the government is currently strengthening promotions in potential markets such as Southeast Asia, East Asia, Oceania, and India.
Minister Wardhana explained last week, “We continue to work hard to open routes, of course, in collaboration with airlines, the Ministry of Transportation, and other ministries and agencies to find ways to leverage incentives to lower ticket prices.”
Speaking to the Chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali, I Putu Winastra, told reporters, “Every new route to Bali brings more than just passengers. It opens up market access, driving hotel demand, restaurant spending, transportation, creative economy opportunities, and broader exposure for communities and destinations across Bali.”
“Our job is to maintain the quality of the product and travel experience, so that this access can be transformed into quality transactions and sustainable value.”
The new Virgin Australia Bali-Canberra service was first announced back in January 2026, and here at The Bali Sun, we think it’s wild how quickly June has come around. Time is flying, no?
Virgin Australia told the media that the new route will operate three return services per week and complement the airline’s other direct services between Bali and Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.
Speaking to the media, Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said: “This is the first time in the history of the company that we will operate internationally from the capital, marking an important milestone in our broader network expansion story.”
Adding “Virgin Australia will be the only Australia-based airline operating internationally out of Canberra, and the only carrier on this new route. As we continue to grow our network, we’re focused on offering greater choice and seamless connectivity for our guests.”
Noting “Indonesia has now overtaken New Zealand as one of Australia’s most popular international travel destinations. Last year, we carried more than half a million guests between Australia and Bali, and it’s great to see demand for the destination continue to grow.”
Virgin Australia has explained that to maximise convenience for travellers, services will depart Canberra in the afternoon and return overnight from Bali. Flight tickets are available now, starting from AUD 399 return.
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