As a result of continued government restrictions, Virgin Australia has cut its domestic network back to just one route. A single service between Melbourne and Sydney will operate six days a week. That is, there will be a daily service, with Saturday missing out.
These changes reflect the growing border restrictions between states, which has caused a sharp decline in passenger numbers.
As such, all other routes have been suspended from April 10. The flights should begin returning once the current restrictions begin to be lifted, and people can resume travelling between states.
In the meantime, Virgin will support the Australian Government with flights between Los Angeles and Hong Kong, and to maintain important freight links in and out of the country.
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Virgin cuts 90% of its capacity, grounds TigerAir
Virgin Australia has announced even more drastic cuts to its domestic network. At the same time, it also gave some hints that there may longer-term changes in the wings.
The Cuts
The cuts that Virgin Australia announced will see it operate just 10% of its normal capacity. From midnight March 27 its schedule will become very thin, with services between some cities cut altogether. In fact, it will only serve around half the destinations it does now.
Tiger Air will see itself basically shutdown, offering no services at all.
This, of course, has significant impacts on its people, and aircraft. Virgin will be standing down 8,000 employees, and grounding 125 aircraft.
What’s left?
Virgin Australia says that it will retain at least some capacity on the following
Between Brisbane and
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Mackay
- Perth
- Rockhampton
- Townsville
Between Melbourne and
- Sydney
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Perth
- Adelaide
Between Sydney and
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
Between Perth and
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Broome
Other impacts
In the announcement, were some additional changes that will change the group going forward. Paul Scurrah, the CEO of Virgin Australia commented that “we operate today may look different when we get to the other side of this crisis”
This was not just idle talk, some changes were even announced. In particular, it is looking to close its New Zealand cabin crew and pilot base, and Tigerair Australia Melbourne pilot base.
Things bode even less well for Tiger customers is that it will be offering a Virgin Australia travel credit.
It remains to be seen what other changes are afoot, but it would not surprise to see some changes in the product offering from Virgin and Tiger.