iscover
On Wednesday, the Virgin Group announced it was to increase domestic capacity reductions from 50 to 90 per cent, including the immediate suspension of all Tigerair services.
In total, the airlines will suspend services to 19 domestic destinations from midnight on 27 March to 14 June, but continue to operate almost daily services to 17 domestic destinations for freight, logistics and transporting essential services.
Suspended services include:
• Albury
• Alice Springs
• Ayers Rock (Uluru)
• Ballina Byron
• Coffs Harbour
• Cloncurry
• Darwin
• Emerald
• Harvey Bay
• Hamilton Island
• Hobart
• Mount Isa
• Launceston
• Mildura
• Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
• Newcastle
• Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine)
• Port Macquarie*
• Tamworth
*Virgin Australia continues to codeshare on Brisbane-Port Macquarie as well as routes between Brisbane and Bundaberg, and Gladstone operated by Alliance Airlines.
On Tuesday, Tasmania and Queensland further restricted entry through their borders, allowing Australians in only if their travel is essential. Previously, both asked Australians to self-isolate for 14 days when they arrived.
Victoria has maintained its state will remain open. Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday, “I’m not interested in closing our borders, I don’t think that makes a lot of sense for us. I have no advice to close our borders and I think it might well be a drain on precious resources, because you can’t have a rule and then not enforce it.”
NSW has made a similar commitment.
Meanwhile, WA and SA have already effectively closed their borders to non-residents by asking those arriving to self-isolate, though have yet to instigate an outright ban.
If you’re booked on the above flights, Virgin has issued the following advice:
“Virgin Australia guests who are booked to travel between now and 30 June 2020 are encouraged to visit the Virgin Australia customer care hub at virginaustralia.com to request a travel credit online or obtain more information about their options.
“Virgin Australia and Tigerair Australia guests who are booked to travel between now and 31 March 2020 are being provided flexibility to change their flight to a Virgin Australia service departing on or before 27 March with change fees and fare difference waived. This can be done via our Guest Contact Centres or at the airport, subject to availability.
“All other Tigerair Australia guests will be able to obtain a Virgin Australia travel credit.”
Mark
says:Wonder who will be left by next year ?
john
says:Wonder if high cost Qantas will survive ?
franz chong
says:they have to remain adelaide to melbourne.unless one can handle 9 to 11 hours by firefly coach virgin now that the overland is gone(never to return)is the next cheapest option other than driving self but add in wear and tear of car,added km and how much closer that brings you to next service and a cheap flight is better.