5 new Virgin Blue routes

[Jarden S]

We still don't know where the E-170 came from to start these 5 new routes. I was just wondering what routes got canned. Are the Mel-Mildura flights still operating. Or maybe they had a bit of slack in the former E-170 schedules?

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Jarden S

We still don't know where the E-170 came from to start these 5 new routes. I was just wondering what routes got canned. Are the Mel-Mildura flights still operating. Or maybe they had a bit of slack in the former E-170 schedules?

They are and doing very nicely

[Greg F]

and making loads of money for DJ

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Greg F

and making loads of money for DJ

I would say so

[Jarden S]

I reckon Virgin will give Qantas a run for their money on this route with the new E-jet. Qantas should look at deploying a 737-400 between CNS-TSV or they will miss out big time. Why would anyone fly a turboprop when they can take a jet for less money. Will QF match VB fares on this route I wonder.

[Kain C]

Article in today's Hobart Mercury:

http://www.themercury.com.au/article...ania-news.html

Ms O'Byrne also launched an autumn marketing program for Tourism Tasmania worth nearly $3 million.

She said Tourism Tasmania had been preparing business cases and making presentations to airline partners to encourage additional flights on existing routes and opening up new routes.

[Anthony T]

From Virgin Blue :

VIRGIN BLUE GOES TROPPO FOR TOWNSVILLE AND NORTH QLD

TOWNSVILLE MAKES VIRGIN BLUE HISTORY AS AIRLINE LAUNCHES 4 NEW FLIGHTS IN ONE DAY

Monday 6 April 2009: Townsville has landed a place in Virgin Blue's history books as the first and only destination that has ever had four new flights launched in one day.

Eight years after the first Virgin Blue flight touched down in Townsville, the award winning airline has embarked on a significant capacity increase with the launch of four new flights today. They include direct flights to four new services from Townsville to Cairns, Canberra, Gold Coast and Rockhampton.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, "This is indeed a first for the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines. Never before have we committed four new routes to the one city on the same day so it's a leap of faith in Townsville, the community and the tourism potential of the destination. We are hopeful we will be on the receiving end of more of the terrific support we have received from the first day we touched down in this key regional Queensland city."

Virgin Blue already operates six flights a day to Townsville from Brisbane and Sydney but this is its first foray in to intra-Queensland routes.

Three of the four new services offer direct flights to destinations not currently serviced as a non-stop flight by any airline, namely Canberra, Gold Coast and Rockhampton. The additional services represent a 66% increase in frequency for Townsville.

Brett Godfrey continued, "After consultation with tourism and industry stakeholders, we identified these markets as being of importance to the people of Townsville in terms of convenient direct services so are willing to back these requests, commit aircraft to them and give them a shot".

Townsville Mayor Cr Les Tyrell welcomed the new services, saying: "This is a tremendous boost for air travel for regional Queensland at a time when it's needed most. The success of Virgin Blue with other services in and out of Townsville shows that if you provide the opportunities for people to travel in the North, they'll snap them up."

"These flights will provide an additional link with three major regional centres and our national capital. The extra visitors to Townsville and the opportunities generated can only be good for our city and its economy."

Brett Godfrey added, "Most of the focus of the new services is around intra-regional Queensland routes and this is an ideal opportunity to stimulate tourism within our home state, help businesses fly smarter and more affordability and provide Townsville, Rockhampton and the Gold Coast with closer internal connections as well as a direct link to Canberra."

Virgin Blue will operate the executive style EMBRAER jet on these routes, flying in the face of the tradition by other airlines to service regional communities with turbo-prop aircraft.

"In the current economic climate, decisions where to direct our aircraft are not randomly pulled out of a hat. We do in-depth analysis before we enter new markets and we are hopeful the new services will take off, however we need the support of the local community to maintain them on an ongoing basis. If there is sufficient demand, the flights will stay but if not it’s a case of “use it or lose it”, finished Brett Godfrey.

Also related:

TAKE OFF TO THE TROPICS OR TAKE A TRIP TO TASSIE!

VIRGIN BLUE LAUNCHES NEW FLIGHTS TO HOBART AND TOWNSVILLE

Monday 6 April 2009: The Virgin Blue Airlines Group is increasing its presence in the Canberra market, today launching not just one, but two brand new direct flights from the nation’s capital.

The airline will commence direct daily services from Canberra to both Hobart and Townsville, offering convenient and affordable access to two fantastic destinations which offer a range of leisure and business opportunities for Canberrans.

The new flights will complement Virgin Blue’s existing flights from Canberra to Brisbane (4/day), Melbourne (6/day), Gold Coast (1/day) Adelaide (1/day) and Sydney (8/day) and represent an increase of 10% in frequency to the Canberra market.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “We have been working hard to stimulate the Canberra market from a tourism perspective and we have also had a strong focus on getting our fair share of air travel from within the Government and Corporate travel sectors. Our evolving product and services both in-flight and on the ground are striking a chord with travellers and we continue to make inroads. As a direct result of this, we are keen to add even more flight options to the Canberra route network.”

Both Hobart and Townsville are brand new direct flight options from the ACT, with Virgin Blue the only carrier to offer non-stop services to the destinations.

The Canberra-Townsville daily flight presents an opportunity to benefit Defence equipment suppliers and contractors along with government personnel, as it offers direct access to the city which is home to Lavarack Barracks (Australia’s largest Army base), Ross Island Barracks (Army amphibious operations) and RAAF Base Townsville (Permanent and Reserve Air Force).

Virgin Blue has also identified a trend of Guests taking advantage of connecting services between Canberra and Hobart via Melbourne. The airline is keen to offer quicker and more convenient access to the Tasmanian capital, world famous for its environmental wonders, as well as its burgeoning gourmet food and wine scene.

Virgin Blue will operate the executive style EMBRAER jet on these routes, the same aircraft that operates the Capital Jet services between Canberra and Sydney.

Brett Godfrey added, “We are pleased to be increasing our presence in Canberra and are hopeful it will have flow on benefits not just for the local business and government sectors but also for tourism in Canberra and surrounds itself.”

"In the current economic climate, decisions where to direct our aircraft are not randomly pulled out of a hat. We believe there is potential demand to support these new flights, have been buoyed by support for existing Virgin Blue services and are hopeful that support will be extended to the Tasmania and Townsville services.”

Anthony T

[Torin Wilson]

Virgin Blue already operates six flights a day to Townsville from Brisbane and Sydney but this is its first foray in to intra-Queensland routes.

Wouldn't Brisbane-Townsville be intra-Queensland?

[Jarden S]

Hi Jarden, no need to re-quote the exact post above in your message, thank you - mod

Yes your right. I guess they forgot about that just after writing it.

[Mike W]

Maybe they don't count Bris-vegas as real Queensland, only the regional centres...