Chief executive Stephen Byron said, “Canberra has not had any COVID for 17 days. And Queensland and South Australian premiers don’t want to open up to places where there is COVID.”
Greg Foran also stated that he expects it will take two years for the airline to return to even 70 per cent of its former size.
The airline also confirmed that from Monday, 25 May, Australian passengers will be asked to wear mandatory face masks and crew to wear full PPE suits.
Chief Executive Ian Honnery said the new dates would provide “certainty” for sponsors, exhibitors and participants.
The airline said it will initially allow 150,000 “Airpoints Dollars” to be donated to KidsCan, Women’s Refuge and New Zealand Red Cross.
Indigo Partners’ Bill Franke has suggested that a shift towards a low-cost model could allow Virgin Australia to bounce back from administration. Franke co-founded Indigo, which recently emerged as one of four suitors short-listed for the Virgin Australia sale. The company specialises in investment in low-cost carriers (LCCs), maintaining stakes in both Frontier Airlines and