Virgin trials biodiesel baggage vehicle
Virgin Australia has launched a trial of biodiesel fuel in a baggage handling vehicle at Brisbane Airport. Virgin says the trial is the first time an Australian airline has used biodiesel in its ground service equipment. The fuel is made up of 20 per... [Continue reading]
Virgin-Skywest alliance get final OK from ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commisison has given final approval to a codesharing alliance between Virgin Australia and WA regional carrier Skywest. The tie-up will link Virgin with Skywest’s network serving the mining industry and comes... [Continue reading]
New Virgin A330 to enter service “as planned” despite airport bingle
Virgin Australia has had to scramble to get one of its new Airbus A330s ready for its maiden service this week after the aircraft clipped a stationary Jetstar A330 while being towed around Melbourne Airport late last week. Virgin said the wingtip of the... [Continue reading]
Virgin adds Brisbane-Gladstone flights
Virgin Australia will add two additional weekday return flights between Brisbane and Gladstone in response to demand from the resource sector, the airline said today. The extra flights, which will be phased in starting May 28, will bring Virgin’s weekly... [Continue reading]
First repainted Virgin Australia 777 in service
The first former V Australia Boeing 777-300ER to be repainted in Virgin Australia colours has re-entered service. VH-VPH St Kilda Beach ferried from Sydney to Singapore on March 26 where it was painted in Virgin Australia colours. It then ferried from... [Continue reading]
Virgin reveals terminal enhancement plans for SYD, MEL
Virgin Australia has revealed plans to upgrade its domestic terminals at Sydney and Melbourne Airports, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Changes for Sydney Airport will include a new, two level, 560-seat lounge, doubling the... [Continue reading]
Virgin reveals new A330 interiors
Virgin Australia has revealed product details of its new build Airbus A330-200s, two of which are being delivered to the airline with a third to follow later in the year. The three new A330-200s, which will join the two existing A330-200 acquired secondhand,... [Continue reading]
Virgin to cut Gold Coast-Townsville flights
Virgin Australia will end its thrice weekly flights between Townsville and the Gold Coast from May 3 due to poor demand. The airline said the route had been under review for some time and continuing revenue losses meant the flights would be scuttled in... [Continue reading]
Virgin 777s get a sprucing
Virgin Australia is sprucing up the interior of its international fleet of Boeing 777s with new seat fabrics and carpets. Seats across all three classes will receive extra padding and new covers and headrests as part of the redesign, which will bring... [Continue reading]
Virgin invests $8m in Skywest
Virgin Australia will invest $8 million in regional carrier Skywest Airlines as it moves to take advantage of the booming resource market. The deal will give Virgin the equivalent of a 10 per cent stake in Perth-based Skywest, which operates a network... [Continue reading]
Virgin names frequent flyer CEO
Virgin Australia has created a separate business division for its Velocity Frequent Flyer program and has appointed former Qantas executive Neil Thompson as CEO of the new branch. Virgin said the move reflected its increasing focus on its frequent flyer... [Continue reading]
