Viva Macau to Sydney

The Australian
IN a further squeeze on Qantas’s international profitability, the Macau-based low-cost airline, Viva Macau, plans to begin services to Sydney three times a week.
The airline has confirmed the Sydney-Macau non-stop route would begin from August 16 with the carrier to offer a two-class service.

Viva Macau will offer an introductory one-way Star Class fare of $305, while the Superstar Class fare will set passengers back $1190.

“As Asia’s newest low-fare airline, we aim to offer value-for-money travel, ultra-low fares, extra comfort with our wide body aircraft, premium airline seat pitch, two-class configuration, as well as other value-added services like allocated seating, air and hotel package options,” Viva Macau chief executive Con Korfiatis said. “We’re excited to be the pioneers connecting Australia and Macau, a city that is fast-becoming Asia’s hot spot as an entertainment and conference destination,” Mr Korfiatis said.

Macau markets itself as the “Las Vegas of the East” and attracted more than 22 million visitors last year.

On May 19, 2006, the airline announced it would lease two Boeing 767 aircraft from the leasing company AWAS. Long term plans call for a fleet of 12 to 15 aircraft – by which time it is expected that they will settle with either Airbus A350 or Boeing 787.

Viva Macau is currently operating the following aircraft (at August 2006):

1 Boeing 767-200ER (B-MAV,ex Aeromexico)
1 Boeing 767-300 (B-MAW, ex PB Air)