COMPETITION RESTORED TO THE SKY OVER MACKAY VIRGIN BLUE TO FLY DIRECT DAILY FLIGHTS FROM OCT 31

Virgin Blue today announced it will launch flights between Brisbane and Mackay from October 31 in line with its long term strategy of offering a genuine low fare option to as many Queensland regional centres as possible.

Since the demise of Ansett, the people of Mackay have been left behind, forced to pay high fares for air travel with limited capacity available, or drive to their destination.

Virgin Blue will offer an early evening flight from Brisbane direct to Mackay and return, providing for the first time, a daily 737 jet service into the city.

Chief Executive Officer, Brett Godfrey said, “We are excited at the opportunity of flying one of our new 737 aircraft to Mackay and are delighted that people will be able to enjoy the experience of a larger aircraft.”

He continued, “Not only is Mackay a key gateway to the stunning Whitsunday region, it is also a key regional centre with a bustling business community based around mining, tourism and agriculture. We are confident Virgin Blue’s friendly service, on-time performance and consistent low fares will appeal to both the tourist and cost conscious business markets.”

As a special launch offer, Virgin Blue will have 99 seats on every flight for the first 9 days at only $99* one way (excluding GST, airport taxes and the Ansett levy). This incredible offer is only valid for 9 days from today or until sold out. The Airlines everyday low fares will start from $129* one way. The Virgin Blue walk-up (Fully Flexible) fare is $289* one way, compared with the Qantas Fully Flexible fare of $407.00 one way.

“The hard work and support of the Mackay Airport Corporation and local tourism authorities has been invaluable in facilitating Virgin Blue’s services earlier than anticipated and we are hopeful the rest of the community will support the only airline dedicated to ‘keeping the air fair’ in Mackay”. finished Brett Godfrey.

Virgin Blue operates the most modern, technologically advanced aircraft in Australia today, with an average age of less than 5 years, compared with Qantas’s average fleet age of 10.8 years. (Salomon Smith Barney 2001 Fleet handbook)