In support of the booming mining sector, Virgin Australia announced Thursday it will provide more than 1,000 additional seats each week from Perth to Port Hedland and Karratha in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The increase in services will commence on November 21 and end in March next year.

Virgin Australia Group Executive ‐ Alliances, Network and Yield, Merren McArthur said the new services are in response to strong demand from the resources sector.

“We are pleased to be able to offer more flights between Perth and the Pilbara region to support Western Australia’s booming mining sector. The additional flights will also offer more options to connect to and from the East Coast and the rest of Virgin Australia’s network.”

McArthur said the airline would provide an additional three services per week between Perth and Port Hedland, operating on Mondays; Tuesdays and Fridays, increasing services to triple daily, Monday to Friday.

The airline will also provide an additional two services each week between Perth and Karratha Wednesdays and Thursdays, increasing services on these days from two to three.