Virgin Australia enhances capacity in short haul international flights to New Zealand, Fiji

Virgin Australia has announced a series of enhancements to its New Zealand and Fiji services from Australia as part of the airline’s grand plans to spruce up the offerings in the short haul international network. The changes will come into effect from June 2016.

The enhancers include the addition of over 75,000 seats on Trans-Tasman routes and the introduction of Airbus A330-200 aircraft in peak travel periods between Fiji and Australia's Brisbane and Melbourne sectors.

According to Virgin Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer, Judith Crompton, in the new Trans-Tasman services 10 return services will be operated between Auckland and Sydney and 9 return services will be there between Auckland and Melbourne, each week, starting from 30 June 2016, reports Traveldaily News.

Boost for corporate travellers

“Our new Trans-Tasman services have been timed to suit corporate travellers as well as customers connecting to regional New Zealand services,” Crompton said.

She said five of the new return services to Auckland will add an extra 1,760 seats each week. The route will use a Boeing 737 aircraft featuring the “award-winning Business Class.”

Virgin will operate the following Tasman routes in association with its alliance partner Air New Zealand from June 30, 2016:

• Three additional return services every week between Auckland and Sydney
• Two additional return services per week between Auckland and Melbourne

This is in addition to the four additional return services per week between Brisbane and Queenstown during the ski season from 25 June to 02 October 2016.

At the same time, Virgin Australia will continue to fly three additional return services per week already introduced between Christchurch and Sydney from 25 October. There may be a schedule change being implemented by Air New Zealand to adjust morning and evening departures on most weekdays.

Similarly, for Fiji, following the success of the Airbus A330-200 aircraft operation from Sydney, Virgin Australia plans to introduce A330 services connecting Brisbane and Melbourne during peak travel periods.

“Since the introduction of our wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft between Sydney and Fiji earlier this year, feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive,” Crompton said.

She said it must be great news for Velocity Frequent Flyers, as they get more chances to redeem Velocity Points for upgrades and reward seats.

Business class discount

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia is getting a good response for its “Accelerate” program that offers savings up to 15 percent on business class flights, booked until mid-December, reports Australian Business Traveller.

Accelerate targets businesses that spend over $20,000 annually on air travel. Companies already registered with Australian securities and Investment commission (ASIC) and holding a valid Australian Business Number will be eligible.

Tickets purchased beyond the mid-Dec deadline can get at least 10 percent savings, if they are booked under Fare advantage scheme. Travellers booking for premium economy class are also offered savings up to 10 percent year-round. Fares in selected economy fares have also been slashed by 10 percent till mid-December. Once Accelerate application is approved, a username and password will be allocated to access Virgin Australia’s corporate travel portal.

For feedback/comments, contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au or let us know what you think below.