Virgin Blue to launch Cairns-Auckland non-stop service.

[Anthony T]

Hi there

Virgin Blue has announced they intend to commece twice weekly non-stop service between Cairns and Auckland effective 23 March 2010.

Promotional lead-in fares start at $249 one-way.

Schedule effective 23 March 2010 - 2 April 2010 :

-2---6- DJ118 22:00 Cairns - 05:30+1 Auckland
-2---6- DJ117 16:00 Auckland - 18:40 Cairns

Schedule effective 4 April 2010 - 21 September 2010 :

-2---6- DJ118 23:00 Cairns - 05:30+1 Auckland
-2---6- DJ117 16:00 Auckland - 19:40 Cairns

Media release from Virgin Blue :

Wednesday 30 December, 2009: Virgin Blue has re-affirmed its commitment to the people of Far North Queensland with the announcement that it will launch its first international service from Cairns to Auckland from 23 March 2010.

Virgin Blue’s New Zealand-based international airline, Pacific Blue, will operate the twice weekly flight, which is scheduled on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with the airline committing a Boeing 737-800 aircraft to the market, representing a 79% increase in seats available on the route.

In order to get the new route off the ground the airline has collaborated with a number of stakeholders including Cairns Airport Pty Ltd which has worked tirelessly to support Virgin Blue's first international service.

In celebration of the new services, the airline has launched a seven day ‘Happy New Year Sale’ with special fares for direct flights between Cairns - Auckland from $249* one way on the net, available from today until midnight 5 January 2010.

Following the sale, regular lead-in fares will start from $349* one way on the net, around 15%^ cheaper than what is currently available with the only other competitor airline servicing the non-stop route.
With over 30,000 visitors from New Zealand heading to Tropical North Queensland every year, Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said the new services will not only provide an alternative travel option but will also help grow the market.
“We’re particularly excited about this new service as it’s our first international route to and from Cairns.

“Importantly, we know that by putting more seats into the market and creating more competition we will be helping to stimulate tourism to the popular Far North Queensland region.”

“Furthermore, the non-stop services will negate the need for travellers in either direction to connect via other ports, so a trip ‘across the ditch’ will be a much quicker, more convenient and affordable option for everyone,” Brett Godfrey finished.

Anthony T

[Jarden S]

Well thats good news for Cairns. will give Air NZ a run for there money. Be nice if they could do a Cairns to Christchurch flight as its been a while since the cities were linked. Qantas use to do a WED flight I remember the flight no. was QF86 back in the late 80's using a 767.

[Kain C]

Ah, the good ol' 80's when as well as CNS-CHC there was HBA-AKL and HBA-CHC too! But nowadays, despite more people flying, and despite lower operating costs for airlines, it somehow isn't viable anymore? Go figure???

[Andrew Ewen]

@ Kain C ,

Maybe those routes weren't viable back then either , but with the overall higher fares on the Tasman in those days they could have been cross-subsidised by other routes ?

[Kain C]

Well, there are clearly sufficient passengers to fill at least a couple of 737s HBA-NZ per week, so it must be the yield that is a problem? Obviously airlines must lose less by selling a below cost Trans-Tasman ticket on say AKL-MEL, and then throw in a MEL-HBA in the one package rather than just fly the people here non-stop AKL-HBA.