VIRGIN Atlantic is investigating services to Melbourne and Brisbane as part of a massive expansion which includes a $US5.5 billion ($7.8billion) deal to buy at least 13 new aircraft.
The British carrier, owned by entrepreneur Richard Branson and Singapore Airlines, flies to Sydney from December 8 after a long battle to win rights to fly to Australia.
It announced on Friday it had ordered 13 Airbus A340-600s, the type it will use on its Australian services, with options for 13 more.
Sir Richard said the new aircraft would allow VA to double passenger numbers to 8 million, and add capacity on existing routes such as the US, China, Japan and India.
VA would also be adding new destinations with a wish list that included Melbourne, Dubai, Bangkok and Mumbai.
“We haven’t started Sydney yet but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be looking beyond that,” said VA head of Asia-Pacific Mackenzie Grant. “With Richard wanting us to double in size in the next five years, which is quite an ambitious goal, we wanted to look at the other options in Australia. Melbourne makes a lot of sense.”
Mr Grant said Brisbane, a big leisure destination which was also a hub for Virgin Blue, would be next in line.
Longer-term plans include flying the 550-seat Airbus A380 “super jumbo” to Sydney, although VA earlier this year delayed delivery of the giant plane by 18 months.
VA currently flies a fleet of 29 Airbus and Boeing aircraft and yesterday’s deal means it now has firm orders for 24 additional Airbus aircraft with delivery starting next year.
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August 9, 2004 at 5:08 am