The new in Newcastle this month is that Jetstar’s one-stop, same-plane service to Singapore via Bali commences 24 March, an extension of the extremely popular Newcastle-Bali route. With the growing appeal of Asia for Australian travellers, this is exciting news for those who have Newcastle as their closest airport, but are you making the most of this opportunity?
Travellers from the Central Coast to Port Macquarie and everywhere in between can bid a welcome farewell to Sydney detours with Jetstar’s new Newcastle to Singapore via Bali service taking off shortly.
Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said travellers from these regions now have one of the quickest and simplest ways to reach Singapore from Newcastle. “Singapore Changi Airport connects to more than 170 destinations across nearly 50 countries, so the world is very much at our fingertips,” Mr Horton said.
“Newcastle Airport will continue to deliver new routes for these regions and are working towards more connections. The reality is, we should be able to fly to places like Singapore, we’ve got the population, we want to travel, and now airlines are watching closely as routes like this prove the demand.”
Changi Airport is one of the world’s most accessible hubs, affording regional NSW residents more relaxed access to Asia and beyond.
“Being able to fly from Newcastle to Singapore on a single booking and the same aircraft is a real win for travellers in our region,” said Andrew Minto, Director of Home & Afar Travel.
“It removes the need to battle Sydney traffic and makes accessing Asia far easier. For our clients, it means starting their international journey closer to home, connecting them to Singapore and giving access to the rest of the world.”
From Newy to the Lion City
The Newcastle-Singapore route comes off the back of Jetstar’s extremely successful Newcastle to Denpasar service. It made history in 2025, upgrading Newcastle Airport’s status from domestic to an international terminal.
Since launching in October 2025, the now 4x weekly service has afforded Novocastrians and other regional NSWers direct access to Bali’s best beaches, yoga studios, and Insta-famous cafés.
The new Singapore flight continues that trajectory, with 96,000 seats available annually, and is an important next step in Newcastle Airport’s long-term commitment to growing international routes, supporting regional tourism, outbound leisure travel, and business connectivity.
Jane Fowler, a TravelManagers’ Personal Travel Manager, says the new international route strengthens Newcastle’s position as a travel hub for the Hunter region. “Easier overseas access will encourage more residents to travel overseas, and creates new opportunities to package international holidays direct from Newcastle.”
The Cessnock-based agent continues, “It also has the potential to attract inbound travellers to the Hunter Valley, benefitting local tourism, accommodation, and hospitality businesses.”
Stress-free to Singapore
A bugbear for regional NSW travellers has been the added travel time when flying from Sydney. That’s been squashed firmly underfoot with the new JQ service, saving not only two-plus hours each way (on a good day), but stress, too.
It’s common for Hunter residents to claim flying from Sydney adds an additional $1,500 just to leave the country. Overnight accommodation, meals, tolls, and parking is an additional tax just to depart from the state capital.
Flight-related anxiety is no longer a rare occurrence, with studies revealing that at least 20% of travellers experience a ‘chain reaction of fear’ regarding the consequences of missing a connecting flight.
While the new Newcastle to Singapore service stops in Bali, it’s a same-plane service, eliminating all those fears.
As Shaun Houston, Group General Manager / Director for Hunter Travel Group, attests, “Most Novocastrians have experienced the stress of M1 delays, the cost to get to Sydney, or the challenge of leaving home at unreasonable hours to make an international departure.
“An international gateway from Newcastle eliminates many of those pain points and gives travellers back both time and peace of mind.”
The new flight departs Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings with an easy six hours to Bali. A quick 90-minute stop in Denpasar and a short hop to Singapore, see passengers arriving by 6 pm, in time for dinner and a Singapore Sling.
With Newcastle Airport’s recently upgraded user-friendly terminal, comfortable seating with outlets and free Wi-Fi, and quick security checks, it’s a more relaxed experience from the get-go.
The full food and beverage line-up includes Bernoulli’s Cafe & Bar, Cove Kitchen & Bar, Crosswinds Coffee Co, Novocastrian Taphouse, Hunter Coffee Traders, with Sushi Sushi recently joining the fold.
How to leverage NTL-SIN
Houston says Hunter Travel Group have been working closely with Newcastle Airport to promote the route through marketing campaigns and giveaways.
“We’re building holiday packages that extend beyond Singapore, connecting seamlessly into major destinations across Asia and Europe. For many travellers, being able to start their journey locally, combined with resort stays, cruises, and multi‑city itineraries while avoiding the stress of Sydney, has been a huge drawcard.”
With Asian destinations on-trend right now, there are ample ways to connect with your clients’ travel goals and level up your sales.
Here are some suggestions:
- Bali packages: There’s a reason Jetstar launched Newcastle as its 10th direct Denpasar service in 2025: it’s still a top spot for Aussie travellers seeking an easy getaway.
- Singapore city breaks: Now an accessible hub for regional NSW travellers, Singapore is an ideal for city break and for pre- and post-cruising. The Lion City appeals with its famed attractions, retail havens, and oh-so-yummy food.
- Malaysian getaways: Singapore’s northern neighbour offers culture, nature, and unique attractions in equal measure. Whether it’s the wilds of Borneo, the beaches of Langkawi, or the bustle of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has never been more accessible for regional NSW-ers.
- Japan jollies: While Tokyo remains an on-trend destination, a recent AMEX report showed Okinawa on the one-to-watch list. Connecting in Singapore, your clients can be exploring Okinawa’s tropical islands in only five more hours.
- Vietnam vacays: Over 20 flights connect Singapore to various cities across Vietnam. Whether your clients want to wander Hanoi’s Old Quarter, discover Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural icons, or enjoy Phú Quốc’s laidback island vibes, the Newcastle service via Singapore opens accessibility to Vietnam.
- Europe made easy: With Qantas’ extensive codeshare partners, Europe has never been easier to reach via Singapore for Newcastle and regional NSW residents.
Learn more
Learn more about the new NTL-DPS-SIN route and travel options on Newcastle Airport’s dedicated Singapore page.
This article is brought to you by Newcastle Airport.
