Jetstar flights to Bali resume after two years pause

Australian Aviation’s Hannah Dowling was on Jetstar’s first flight to Bali, serviced by a 787-8<br/>Commercial flights between Australia and Bali have resumed for the first time in two years after Jetstar restarted its service from Melbourne on Monday. The island is the carrier’s most popular international destination and its recent ticket sale there saw its biggest surge in bookings since 2016. The first flight was carried out by a 787-8, VH-VKI msn 36235, which departed at 10:10am as flight JQ43. Jetstar Group CEO Gareth Evans said, “We are very excited to return to Bali today after two long years, and we are confident that Bali will quickly regain its position as our most popular international tourist destination now that borders are open. “Pre-COVID, Jetstar operated up to 85 return flights per week to Bali, carrying more than 2m customers each year and contributing almost 2b Australian dollars annually to the local Balinese economy.” The airline will initially fly from the Victorian capital three times per week, before adding Sydney and Perth in early April and Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns and Darwin in May. Qantas’ NSW service will begin on 28 March while Virgin will recommence services from 2 May.<br/>