Virgin Australia announced the results of a six-month network review today. As a result, it announced a set of network changes, as it seeks to get better returns from its operations.
The big change is the axing of the daily Melbourne to Hong Kong service. Doing so frees up an A330, allowing it to operate the new Brisbane to Tokyo (Haneda) service.
But there was more to the announcement. With some other small changes to its domestic and international operations.
What’s going?
Firstly, let’s start with the flights that are being cut. Virgin has advised they will exit the following:
- Canberra – Perth from 6 December 2019
- Gold Coast – Perth from 19 January 2020
- Hong Kong – Melbourne from 11 February 2020
- Sydney – Christchurch from 29 April 2020
What’s new?
Finally, let’s look at the new routes that are being proposed. These are
- Brisbane – Haneda from 29 March 2020
- Melbourne – Denpasar from 29 March 2020
The Brisbane – Haneda service will operate daily using an Airbus A330. This aircraft has come available from the removal of the Hong Kong – Melbourne service.
The addition of flights between Melbourne and Denpasar is an interesting one. Virgin Australia previously operated the route but handed it over to TigerAir in 2016. Virgin Australia has applied for permission to operate 5 additional 737 services per week between Australia and Indonesia.
