DJ Melbourne to Mildura Launch

[Justin L]

It looks like DJ had a "200 seats for $2" sale for MEL-MQL tonight (5-Aug) between 8-9pm, but it has already sold out according to the website. Did anyone hear any advance notice of this?

[Anthony T]

Did anyone hear any advance notice of this?

Hi there

Yes it was on the website and on various news websites :

"Virgin Blue's new Mildura flights go on sale today and following Virgin Blue tradition, a special launch fare is on offer in honour of Mildura’s famous fruit growing heritage. 200 “Tutti Fruity” $2* internet only fares between Mildura and Melbourne will go on sale from 8pm AEST tonight (Tuesday 5 August) for one hour or until sold out. Travel is for 13 October 2008 to 28 March 2009. A further sale offering thousands of $59* one-way fares is also available from now until midnight Tuesday 12 August 2008 for travel 13 October to 28 March 2009. The everyday lead-in Virgin Blue fare is $109* one-way on the Internet."

Anthony T

[Adam P.]

Originally Posted by Adam G

don't actually have to make a profit on the MQL/MEL flight if on carriage pax from that flight onto other domestic/intl routes leads to an overall profit for the passenger on the network.

Ahh yes, the joys of cross-subsidisation. I'll concede this point.

This will remain a very interesting battle to watch!

[Paul C.]

REX could be in serious trouble here. Hmm, they might have to stop flying the Saabs from Melbourne to Mildura. REX has just taken delivery of yet another Saab 340B (cn 382 = VH-ZLO).

Hopefully Virgin Blue will fly its E170/190's to Burnie-Wynyard Airport in Tasmania one day. Maybe Sydney to Burnie and even Adelaide to Burnie. That gives me a direct flight to any of those cities instead of a stopover in Melbourne.

[Daniel M]

for info, the inaugral MEL-MQL service tomorrow will be operated by VH-ZHE

[Arthur T]

I just concerned Virgin Blue focus more about regional routes for argcultural regional cities rather than tourist-based regional route, as more E-Jets arrived. For example: (Brackets indicate my suggested daily frequency)

Adelaide - Kingscote (2)
Carins - Hamilton Island (1)
Sydney/Brisbane - Lord Howe Island (1)
Sydney/Adelaide - Broken Hill (1)
Alice Springs - Uluru (1)
Alice Springs - Adelaide/Melbourne (1)

Is that possible for DJ to open above routes to attract more tourists and boost revenue before they open more local ports like Griffith, Dubbo, Wagga, Olympic Dam etc.?

[Michael Morrison]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

Adelaide - Kingscote (2)
Carins - Hamilton Island (1)
Sydney/Brisbane - Lord Howe Island (1)
Sydney/Adelaide - Broken Hill (1)
Alice Springs - Uluru (1)
Alice Springs - Adelaide/Melbourne (1)
?

Well I think Lord Howe Island is off the list due to the short runway/

[Marty H]

I would like DJ to get onto the MEL-MIM route, huge tourist destination year round.