SYDNEY- Qantas Airways (QF) is preparing a major expansion of its Australia-Indonesia network, with new flights planned between Perth and Jakarta, Brisbane and Bali, and Western Sydney and Bali through its Jetstar subsidiary.
The proposal also includes additional Melbourne-Jakarta services as the airline group responds to increased capacity rights under the updated Australia-Indonesia air services agreement.
Qantas has applied to Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) for 4,539 seats per week in each direction.
The proposed expansion would use Boeing 737, Airbus A330 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft, while Jetstar Airways (JQ) would operate the new Western Sydney-Bali service using an Airbus A321LR.
Qantas Indonesia Expansion Plans Take Shape
The first major change would arrive on December 14, 2026, when Qantas plans to begin daily Perth-Jakarta flights using Boeing 737 aircraft.
The service would strengthen direct links between Western Australia and Indonesia’s capital while adding capacity to one of the airline group’s established international markets.
From August 1, 2027, Qantas plans to restart nonstop Brisbane-Denpasar services with a Boeing 737. The airline also plans to increase Melbourne-Jakarta operations to four weekly Airbus A330 flights from March 28, 2027, before moving the route to a daily schedule from October 31, 2027.
The Melbourne-Jakarta change would also introduce the Airbus A321XLR on the route.
The smaller aircraft will replace the A330 on the daily operation, although passengers will initially receive domestic-style business-class recliner seats because Qantas’ flat-bed A321XLR business suites are not expected to enter service until 2028, Executive Traveller reported.
Jetstar Western Sydney Bali Expansion
Jetstar is also set to play a major role in the expansion, with daily Western Sydney-Denpasar flights planned from March 15, 2027.
The service would give Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) a direct international connection to Bali and expand Jetstar’s presence in the Australian-Indonesia market.
The new Western Sydney service follows the updated bilateral aviation arrangement between Australia and Indonesia, which provides an additional 5,000 passenger seats per week for airlines from both countries.
The agreement also permits services to additional Indonesian destinations and allows international flights from Western Sydney International.
Australia Indonesia Travel Demand Growth
The additional capacity comes as Indonesia continues to rank as Australia’s leading overseas destination. Australian residents made 1,777,270 short-term trips to Indonesia during the 2025-26 financial year, with holidays accounting for 86.2 percent of those trips.
Bali remains particularly important to the market. Indonesia’s official statistics recorded 6.95 million international arrivals in Bali during 2025, with Australian visitors accounting for 23.44 percent, making Australia the island’s largest source market.
The IASC is currently considering Qantas’ application and has invited other airlines to apply for available capacity. Qantas has stated that the requested capacity would be fully utilized by November 1, 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
.jpg){kind=link}