Jetstar launches first direct Newcastle–Hobart flights

newy.com.au – Jetstar’s first direct flight between Newcastle and Hobart departed Newcastle Airport at 3:25pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025, launching a new three-times-a-week link between the Hunter and the Tasmanian capital.

The seasonal service is the first time the two cities have been connected by air and Newcastle Airport says it will add more than 22,000 low-cost seats this season, cutting travel time and cost for passengers from the Hunter, Port Stephens, the Central Coast and northern NSW.

Flight JQ489 left Newcastle with more than 160 passengers on board an Airbus A320, with the route operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through the summer. Newcastle Airport says Hobart has become its twelfth destination, with more than 250 weekly flights now connecting the region to key domestic and international hubs.

Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the launch continued the airport’s growth as a national and international gateway following recent additions including direct services to Perth, Bali and Singapore via Bali. “Today’s inaugural flight to Hobart strengthens our region’s access to the places that matter,” Mr Horton said. “We also thank our government partners, tourism bodies and community advocates who helped make this route a reality.”

Executive general manager airlines and governance Andrew Warrender said the new route was built on close collaboration with Jetstar and strong demand from local travellers. “This is the first time Newcastle and Hobart have ever been connected by air and we’re proud to help make this route a reality in collaboration with Jetstar,” Mr Warrender said. “We’re excited to see this new connection take off and we’ll continue to pursue more direct routes that make sense for both passengers and the broader visitor economy.”

Port Stephens Mayor and Newcastle Airport director, Cr Leah Anderson, described the launch as an important step for the Hunter’s visitor economy. “This new service is a win for local residents and our visitor economy alike,” Cr Anderson said. “For people across Port Stephens, the Hunter and the Central Coast, flying direct from Newcastle means no more early starts, long drives or layovers to reach Tasmania.”

Jetstar executive manager commercial Lyle Brownscombe said the airline was “proud to be making history in the Hunter”. “This is the first time Newcastle and Hobart have ever been connected by air and we’re thrilled to be making this route a reality,” Mr Brownscombe said. “Hunter residents can now reach Tasmania’s wilderness, food and wine experiences without the hassle of connecting through other cities,  saving time and money.”

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the service would bring thousands of Tasmanian visitors into Newcastle, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter region. He said the route supported the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy, which aims to reach $91 billion in visitor expenditure by 2035, a target that will require 8.5 million additional airline seats across the state. Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the new link would support local businesses and jobs, adding there was “no better time to swap a Tasmanian Tempranillo for a Hunter Region Riesling than this summer”.

Hobart Airport chief operating officer Matt Cocker said the direct flight opened up “the largest population area in Australia that we weren’t flying directly to previously”, while Tourism Tasmania’s director access and aviation Steve Farquer said the state was “ready and excited to welcome travellers to Come Down For Air on this direct route into Hobart”.

To mark the new route, Jetstar has launched a 24-hour sale with one-way fares from $59 on jetstar.com, with other Newcastle services to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Bali also included. Newcastle Airport says the Hobart flights are planned to return in future summers and form part of an ambitious five-year new route plan as it pursues further domestic and long-haul international connections.