Pacific Blue Increase BNE-NAN

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by VB

PACIFIC BLUE INCREASES FLIGHTS TO FIJI

Friday 24 October 2008: Virgin Blue’s international sister carrier, Pacific Blue Airlines, today announced it will increase services* between Brisbane and Fiji (Nadi) from 14 to 16 flights a week as a result of ongoing demand and strong support for the airline’s existing services.

From 19 December 2008, the additional flights will arrive late into Nadi on Friday and Sunday evenings, returning early on Saturday and Monday mornings. Everyday low fares between Brisbane and Nadi start from AUD$349* one way on the net.

Since launching services to Fiji in September 2004 with three weekly flights from Brisbane the airline has seen a substantial increase in tourist demand for flights from Australia to Fiji with the number of people returning to Fiji to visit friends and relatives also increasing. Fijian locals are also taking advantage of Pacific Blue’s affordable high quality flights to travel to Australia and beyond.

According to the latest Department of Immigration^ statistics:

The Brisbane-Nadi market has grown by 82,198 passengers or 101% since Pacific Blue launched on the route till year ending June 2008.

The Australian visitor arrivals into Fiji has grown by 38%.

The holiday segment to Fiji has grown by 44%.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “The strong statistics and ongoing support has given us the confidence to commit further resources to this route and the additional flight between Brisbane and Nadi is a clear indication of our faith in the Fiji market and its long term viability.

“Above all we remain committed to ensuring that the airline continues to offer great value air fares as well as great service to travellers from both Australia and Fiji.“

As an added bonus for travellers the additional flights open up a number of new connections with through flights now available on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays to and from Adelaide, Cairns and Townsville.

ADDITIONAL BRISBANE-NADI FLIGHTS: EFFECTIVE 19 DECEMBER 2008

Flight No DJ175 depart 1800 and arrive 2340 on Fridays

Flight No DJ175 depart 1810 and arrive 2350 on Sundays

ADDITIONAL NADI-BRISBANE: EFFECTIVE 19 DECEMBER 2008

Flight No DJ174 depart 0600 and arrive 0810 on Saturdays

Flight No DJ174 depart 0630 and arrive 0840 on Mondays

* Subject to regulatory approval.All fares are subject to availability, are for one way travel and include taxes, fares and surcharges. Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Fares are one way on the net or AU$15 more by phone. A credit card surcharge of AU$5 per person per one way flight is applicable for flights internationally. Fares are correct as at24 Oct, 2008and are subject to change. International return fare may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges.

^ Source: Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

http://www.virginblue.com.au/AboutUs...s/P_005892.htm

Despite the current situation in the economy its good to see growth still occurring.

[James Smith]

Forgive my ignorance but Pacific Blue currently have a daily return service from BRI to NAN which equals 14 flights per week on the route. If they operate 2 more to NAN and 2 more back to BRI they will have 18 per week from 19/12/08, not 16.

VBs maths in the release don't add up.

[Rhys Xanthis]

I think you're right.

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Rhys Xanthis

http://www.virginblue.com.au/AboutUs...s/P_005892.htm

Despite the current situation in the economy its good to see growth still occurring.

With the dollar not crash hot people will choose to holiday within Australia or where our dollar is good such as the Pacific or Asia.

[lloyd fox]

The article was worded wrong .It should have read Australia-Fiji was increasing from 14 to 16 services with BNE going from 7 to 9 a week.Sydney staying at 7 a week.

Cheers Lloyd

[Andrew M]

Would be nice of they started MEL-NAN again!

I was booked for one of those flights in it's final weeks and of course on the day the plane went "tech" and they moved everyone via SYD/BNE with an extra 10+ hours of flying time.

A brief argument from me and we were put via SYD on FJ saving about 5 hours over the PB option.

PB even gave me a full refund to my credit card