New Direct Flight Sydney-Townsville From $99* One-Way
Virgin Blue Doubles Services To Queensland’s Northern Capital
Virgin Blue has announced it will double capacity in and out of Townsville following on-going demand and strong forward bookings for existing flights.
From 11 March 2004, the low fare leader will launch a brand new direct service between Townsville and Sydney after identifying a large number of Guests booking connecting flights on Virgin Blue via Brisbane.
Virgin Blue will also increase the frequency on its existing Townsville-Brisbane service from 2 per day to 3 direct daily services as of 8 May 2004.
The carrier has been closely monitoring demand for its Townsville flights and has been heartened by the ongoing and loyal support from travellers.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said, “We have been watching with great interest the ongoing popularity of Townsville as a destination and we are excited to be putting more seats into what is clearly a growing market.”
He continued, “Townsville was our first regional route and from day one we always said we would rather increase capacity than increase fares and that is exactly what we are doing.”
We have also seen a steady increase in the number of Townsville based corporate Guests who use Virgin Blue on a regular basis and are confident both leisure and business flyers will embrace the new direct flight to Sydney due to its affordability and convenience.”
The special $99* launch fare on Sydney-Townsville will be available from today until 14 December 2003 and is for travel between 11 March and 7 April 2004. Mid-Week Mini-Fares will be up for grabs for $149* one-way while everyday low fares between Townsville and Sydney will start from $169* one-way. Fully Flexible fares are available from $399* which offers a saving of more than 36% over the competitors equivalent fare.
The flight will depart Sydney at 11.30am, arriving in to Townsville in time for lunch at 1.10pm and departs Townsville at 1.45pm, landing back in Sydney at 5.15pm.
The Townsville-Brisbane service will also be boosted with a new morning flight from Brisbane to Townsville and a late morning return from Townsville back to Brisbane. Brett Godfrey added, “With our convenient connections to Newcastle and Canberra, we are hopeful of making further inroads into the corporate market, including the Australian Defense Force which has primary units located in Townsville.”
Virgin Blue has also today announced other schedule enhancements which include
A brand new Brisbane-Newcastle direct daily flight from 7 May 2004; and
A new direct flight between Melbourne and Darwin, 3 times weekly from 7 April 2004.
SYDNEY- TOWNSVILLE SCHEDULE
Sydney–Townsville – Effective March 11, 2004
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 635 11.30am 1.10pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Townsville–Sydney – Effective March 11, 2004
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 634 1.45am 5.15am Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Virgin Blue currently has a fleet of 40 Boeing 737 aircraft flying between 20 destinations nationally. It has recently launched ‘Pacific Blue’, its New Zealand based sister airline that is due to begin services between Christchurch and Brisbane on 1 February 2004.Sale fare available on direct services only.
For Virgin Blue bookings log on to http://www.virginblue.com.au or call 13 6789. For Pacific Blue bookings log on to http://www.flypacificblue.com or call 13 1645 from Australia or 0800 670 000 from New Zealand.
* Fares include all taxes and are for flights booked on the Internet, $10 more by phone. Mid-Week Mini-Fares are for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. Fares are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or peak days. The launch offer is available for sale from today until the 14 December 2003 and is valid for travel on direct services only from the 11 March 2004 until the 7 April 2004.
4th December 2003
Virgin Blue Announces Direct Melbourne-Darwin Flights
Low Fares Across More Territory – From $149* One-Way
Virgin Blue has announced it will launch flights between Darwin and Melbourne from 7 April 2004, offering yet another direct low fare option to and from the Northern Territory.
Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey flew into Melbourne today to throw down the gauntlet as to which airline has always been about low fares and will continue to be Australia’s long term low fare leader.
Along with the opening of the new Melbourne “Blue Room”, Virgin Blue also announced the new route will operate three times a week and complement the existing services between Darwin and Brisbane and Sydney.
The special launch offer of $149* one-way is on sale now until 14 December 2003 and is for travel between 7 April 2004 and 29 May 2004. Mid-Week Mini-Fares are on offer for $189* one-way, while everyday low fares will start from $219* one-way. Fully Flexible fares are available from $549* which offers a saving of more than 34% over the competitors equivalent fare.
The decision to begin operating the direct flight to and from the Victorian capital was made due to the large number of Guests booking connecting flights to Darwin via Sydney and Brisbane.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said, “We have always said we would rather increase services than increase fares and that is exactly what we are doing with our new Darwin flight.”
He continued, “We are happy to be offering a new hub-busting flight from the NT capital to Melbourne and are confident both business and leisure travellers will appreciate the affordable fares and the convenience of not having to change aircraft.”
MELBOURNE-DARWIN SCHEDULE
Melbourne–Darwin – Effective April 7, 2004
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 971 8.00pm 12.05am Y Y
DJ 969 5.45pm 9.50pm Y
Darwin–Melbourne – Effective April 8, 2004
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 970 12.45am 5.25am Y Y Y
Virgin Blue currently operates a fleet of 40 brand new Boeing 737 aircraft with an average age of less than two years. The award winning carrier currently flies to 20 destinations nationally and has recently launched ‘Pacific Blue’, its New Zealand based sister airline that is due to begin services between Christchurch and Brisbane on 29 January 2004.
For Virgin Blue bookings log on to http://www.virginblue.com.au or call 13 6789. For Pacific Blue bookings log on to http://www.flypacificblue.com or call 13 1645 from Australia or 0800 670 000 from New Zealand.
* All fares are for flights booked on the Internet. $10 more by phone. The $149 launch fare offer is on sale from today until 14 December 2003 and flights are for travel from 7 April to 29 May 2004. Mid-Week Mini-Fares are for travel on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Fares subject to availability and may not be available on all flights. Sale fare only available on direct services.
4th December 2003
Virgin Blue Announces Direct Newcastle-Brisbane Flights
Huge Support Prompts Brand New Route And More Low Fares
Virgin Blue has announced it will launch daily flights between Newcastle and Brisbane on May 7 2004, just weeks after bringing its low fares and unique service to the region with daily direct flights to Melbourne.
The inaugural Virgin Blue service took off from Williamtown on 1 November 2003 and since then has been strongly supported in both directions with the aircraft flying over 80% full.
Significant demand in terms of forward bookings on its Melbourne service has given Virgin Blue the confidence to commit to offering a new route out of the region.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said, “After becoming the only carrier servicing the Melbourne-Newcastle route, Qantas wanted everyone to believe that this was a route only worthy of small turbo props.
Virgin Blue has decided to take Newcastle seriously by putting in big jets and people have responded with their full support. We are feeling confident about the new Brisbane service and we will consider a second Newcastle-Melbourne flight in the not too distant future.”
The low fare carrier will provide the only jet aircraft flight between Newcastle and the Queensland capital, which translates to a smoother, quieter and quicker ride, shaving nearly half an hour off the existing flying time offered by its competitors.
“Qantas ignored Newcastle after they acquired Impluse but even if they start taking the city seriously again, we are confident that the people of the Hunter will realise which airline is focused on bringing them modern jets with great service and low fares.” Brett Godfrey added.
In true Virgin Blue style, a launch fare of $69* will be on sale from today until 14 December 2003, for travel between 7 May 2004 and 24 June 2004. Mid-Week Mini-Fares will start from $79* one-way, while everyday low fares will start from $89* one-way. Fully Flexible fares are available from $249* which offers a saving of more than 33% over the competitors equivalent fare.
“This new route is not just for the day return traffic to South East Queensland. People from various groups including both tourism and the mining sector, have told us that not only are they tired of flying on “bug smashers”, they also want convenient connections to destinations up north such as Mackay, Cairns and Townsville.”
The flight will depart Newcastle at 6.30am, landing in Brisbane at 7.40am. The return flight departs Brisbane at 8.50pm, landing back in Newcastle at 10.05pm.
Brett Godfrey finished, “People in Newcastle and the Hunter region have quickly realised that if they support us, we will reciprocate with more low fares, which is good for tourism, good for families and good for the economy of the entire region.”
Connecting services from Newcastle to Cairns, Mackay and Townsville will be offered with Mid-Week Mini-Fares starting from $179* to Townsville, $189* to Mackay and $239* to Cairns.
The new Brisbane service will also see an aircraft and Virgin Blue crew overnight in Newcastle for the first time.
Today’s Newcastle-Brisbane route announcement coincides with other key Virgin Blue schedule enhancements including:
A brand new direct flight three days a week between Melbourne and Darwin starting from 7 April 2004;
An increase in Brisbane-Townsville flights from 2 a day to 3 daily direct services starting 8 May 2004; and
Launch of direct daily Sydney-Townsville flights from 11 March 2004.
For Virgin Blue bookings log on to http://www.virginblue.com.au, call 13 6789 or contact a travel agent.
NEWCASTLE-BRISBANE SCHEDULE
Brisbane–Newcastle – Effective May 7, 2004
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 908 8.50pm 10.05pm Y Y Y Y Y Y* Y
* Note: Saturday flight times vary – DJ 908 departs Brisbane at 8.00pm and arrives Newcastle at 9.15pm
Newcastle–Brisbane – Effective May 8, 2004
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 901 6.30am 7.40am Y Y Y Y Y Y Y*
* Note: Sunday flight times vary – DJ 901 departs Newcastle at 6.45am and arrives Brisbane at 7.55am
Virgin Blue currently operates a fleet of 40 brand new Boeing 737 aircraft with an average age of less than two years. The award winning carrier currently flies to 20 destinations nationally and has recently launched ‘Pacific Blue’, its New Zealand based sister airline that is due to begin services between Christchurch and Brisbane on 29 January 2004.
For Virgin Blue bookings log on to http://www.virginblue.com.au or call 13 6789. For Pacific Blue bookings log on to http://www.flypacificblue.com or call 13 1645 from Australia or 0800 670 000 from New Zealand.
* All fares are for flights booked on the Internet. $10 more by phone. The $69 launch fare offer is on sale from today until 14 December and flights are for travel from 7 May until 24 June 2004. Mid-Week Mini-Fares are for travel on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Fares are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or peak days.
———————————————————————————————————–
How awesome to see three brand new routes from this airline in a matter of weeks !
Sign In
December 6, 2003 at 10:48 am