The low-cost carrier will fly daily A320 services from Melbourne to Denpasar starting 21 March, adding around 130,000 seats per year, and offering promotional fares to entice new passengers on the popular route.

The carrier, which axed the route in early 2023, will recommence direct services between Sydney and Darwin on 22 June next year, operating until 10 January 2027, with plans to restart again in March 2027. It will fly up to seven times per week return during peak periods.

The announcement follows confirmation that an Australian-designed and manufactured MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft has deployed an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile against an Australian-made Phoenix Jet uncrewed aerial target.

The proposed CRC aims to address key challenges in the sector including regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, airspace integration and public trust in emerging technologies.