Virgin Australia Pronounces Quick-Tracked Plans to Help Tourism Restoration

The Virgin Australia Group has announced accelerated plans to acquire new aircraft, create more frontline jobs and expand their network to further support domestic tourism.

The recovery effort includes the reintroduction of 10 additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft and the planned return of more than 80 percent of the airline’s pre-pandemic domestic capacity by mid-June. Changes to network operations will allow the airline to deploy Boeing 737 aircraft in other parts of its network in the coming months.

After a year of rolling government restrictions, the pent-up demand for travel supports the introduction of several new and expanded services and frequencies on major leisure and business routes. The Virgin Australia Group is committed to maintaining a market share in line with its position ahead of COVID.

I’m talking about a cabin crew training school in Brisbane. Jayne Hrdlicka, CEO of the Virgin Australia Group The airline has focused heavily on its domestic recovery program, which includes delivering experiences that guests love while delivering great value for leisure travelers, businesses and SMBs.

“We’re building a strong, disciplined business and we’re obsessed with bringing our customers the best of the Virgin Australia travel experiences,” said Ms. Hrdlicka.

“More planes mean more flying, and with the relaxation of travel restrictions, there are more opportunities to further support domestic tourism and the country’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

“Today we offer around 850 weekly return flights. As we approach the school holidays in June, we will add another 220 round-trip flights per week to our flight schedule. We are expected to operate more than 80 percent of our domestic capacity before COVID by mid-June.

“We are confident that closing internal borders will soon be a thing of the past and that positive signs of consumer recovery continue to be visible. As an example, we’ve had several record-breaking days of sales with half-price tariffs, with more than 75 percent of tickets booked for travel as of May.

“All of this will provide much-needed security for hundreds of our team members who, through no fault of their own, had to stop working due to the extraordinary effects of the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming many of you back to Virgin Australia. “

Commitment to jobs

The creation of additional roles within the company will bring more than 220 cabin crew back to the skies from the airline’s discontinued international long haul, ATR regional and Tigerair Australia long haul flights. The new recruits will attend one of 15 cabin crew training schools over the next two months.

In addition, a major recruiting drive began today to fill more than 150 new cabin crew roles, including an expression of interest in future positions, with priority evaluating applications from other Virgin Australia employee groups. External expressions of interest can be made through the airline’s careers website.

Fleet and network

The company has entered into agreements to reintroduce 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft previously operated by Virgin Australia. Other aircraft are currently being investigated. The first three aircraft will join the airline’s main fleet this month, with the rest gradually entering service through October.

The company enters into wet lease agreements with Alliance Airlines to operate Fokker 100 services on behalf of Virgin Australia between Brisbane-Alice Springs and Brisbane-Mt Isa beginning April 19, 2021. This move will enable Virgin Australia to explore more efficient ways to manage capacity frequencies in support of choice and convenience for regional customers.

Starting next month, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) will also be offering selected services on main routes between Perth-Darwin, Perth-Broome and Perth-Adelaide with an Airbus A320. These agreements will help move the Boeing 737 aircraft to other markets.

By the school holidays in June, the airline will add more than 220 round-trip flights per week to its flight schedule, offering new and expanded seasonal flights and expanded frequencies on key business and leisure routes. Trans-Tasman services to Queenstown are slated to resume before the school holidays on September 18, 2021.

New and expanded seasonal services include:

• Melbourne – Hamilton Island (3 weekly flights from June 8th to October 31st)
• Melbourne – Darwin (daily flights June 10th to October 31st)
• Brisbane – Launceston (4 weekly flights from June 17th to July 25th) – Season Extension
• Melbourne – Ballina Byron Bay (5 weekly flights from June 9th to October 31st) – Season Extension
• Brisbane – Queenstown (4 weekly flights starting September 18)
• Sydney – Queenstown (4 weekly flights starting September 18)

Extended frequencies include:

• Sydney – Perth (up to 4 flights per day through May 23)
• Melbourne – Perth (up to 6 flights per day through May 23)
• Sydney – Adelaide (up to 5 flights per day through May 23)
• Melbourne – Adelaide (Up to 9 flights per day through June 20th)
• Brisbane – Adelaide (up to 5 flights per day through June 20th)
• Sydney – Gold Coast (up to 9 flights per day through June 20th)
• Melbourne – Gold Coast (up to 8 flights per day through June 20th)
• Melbourne – Sydney (up to 25 flights per day through June 20)
• Melbourne – Brisbane (up to 13 flights per day through June 20)
• Brisbane – Sydney (up to 15 flights per day through June 20th)
• Sunshine Coast – Melbourne (up to 20 flights per day through June 20)
• Sunshine Coast – Sydney (up to 20 flights per day until June 20th)
• Brisbane – Townsville (up to 4 flights per day through June 20)
• Brisbane – Mackay (up to 4 flights per day through June 20th)

Before resuming short-haul international travel beyond New Zealand, the company continues to review relevant government and health advice regarding vaccinations and all decisions related to the health and safety of passengers and crew.