Virgin Blue to launch Whitsunday Coast Airport - Melbourne service

Virgin Blue today announced that it will begin services between the Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) and Melbourne from the 8th of May 2004.

The weekly direct flight will operate on Saturdays, the highest peak demand day for travellers who are heading off for a week's holiday or to visit family and friends.

Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said, "We've been tracking the trends for a few months and it's clear to us that Saturday's are the day when Guests want to travel to these hugely popular destinations."

He added, "We wanted to make it more convenient as well as affordable and if the ongoing demand is there, we will look at increasing the number of flights."

To celebrate Virgin Blue's newest route, the airline is offering one of its "wow" special fares of A$149* one-way on the net, available now until March 28 2004 for travel between 8 May and 19 June 2004.

Virgin Blue's Mid-Week Mini-Fares for travel via Brisbane start from A$179* one-way on the net, with a Fully Flexible Virgin Blue fare of A$399* one-way. Regular lead-in fares start from $199* on the web.

He continued, "It's amazing to think that this time last year we weren't even operating into the Whitsunday Coast, and now here we are adding our 9th weekly service and our third non-stop destination."

Daily connecting flights via Brisbane will provide travellers with the option of returning whatever day they choose if the direct Saturday flight doesn't suit their schedule.

"We hope our convenient connections will provide flyers with a seamless and hassle free travel experience as we don't think it's quite fair that when Jetstar replaces Qantas' services into the Whitsunday Coast, travellers will have to collect and re-check in their baggage in Brisbane."

*Note: All fares are for flights booked on the Internet. $10 more by phone. The $149 launch fare offer is on sale from today until 28 March 2004 and is for travel from 8 May to 19 June 2004 and is only available for travel on the new direct service. Mid-Week Mini-Fares are for travel on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Fares are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or peak days.