VIRGIN BLUE GOES WEST

Virgin Blue’s inaugural flight to WA touched down at Perth International airport this morning, offering a high quality, low fare link-up between the East and West Coasts and introducing Western Australians to a genuinely friendly, affordable and dynamic new style of air travel.

The management team stepped off the brand new Next Generation 737-800 aircraft in traditional Virgin Blue style, dressed as the Village People, a direct reference to the launch flight theme song “Go West”.

The low fare carrier launched its daily return service from Perth to Melbourne and Adelaide in response to massive demand for the airline to offer its low fares to the people of Western Australia.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “Perth has been one of the most requested destinations right from the very beginning so we are thrilled to be launching the service today with our state of the art aircraft. The east coast to west coast fares have been far too expensive for far too long and we are confident Virgin Blue’s affordable fares will inspire thousands more people to fly, stimulating the tourism industry, reuniting friends and families and giving businesses a better bottom line”.

“The high cost of air travel and the long driving distance across the Nullarbor has discouraged many from making the coast to coast journey in the past but the introduction of new Virgin Blue flights will offer the opportunity for both leisure travellers and business people to fly without having to spend days driving or mortgage the family home”, Brett Godfrey added.

Virgin Blue’s everyday low fares start from $189*^ one-way (Perth-Adelaide) and $199*^ one-way (Perth-Melbourne). Virgin Blue’s Fully Flexible fares are $439* one way (Perth-Adelaide) and $467* (Perth Melbourne) one-way, $219 and $266 cheaper respectively than other Fully Flexible fares in the market at $658 and $735.

Virgin Blue has also adjusted its Reservations Centre hours to cater to the needs of Western Australian Guests and is open from 3.00am to 8.00pm WA time and 5.00am to 10.00pm Brisbane time.

“Adding Perth to our growing list of destinations is a major step for Virgin Blue, making it a truly national carrier as we continue to expand our operations in response to the overwhelming demand following the collapse of Ansett Mark 1”, Brett Godfrey said.”

14 months ago, Virgin Blue launched with 280 staff, 2 aircraft and 1 Brisbane-Sydney route. By the end of this year, Virgin Blue, Australia’s second airline, will have 1300 team members, 16 aircraft and operate 18 routes.

Virgin Blue’s half year audited trading profit of a strong $8-million for the period April to September confirms that the Virgin Blue concept is a winning formula.

“Virgin Blue is going from strength to strength and we are hopeful that the new Perth service will be as enthusiastically embraced as our existing routes. At the end of the day, it’s all about great fares, even greater service and catering to the needs of our Guests.” Brett Godfrey finished.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Effective 10 Dec

MELBOURNE-PERTH
 

PERTH-MELBOURNE
 

PERTH-ADELAIDE

ADELAIDE-PERTH

All times local

* All fares exclude Ansett passenger ticket levy, applicable airport charges and the global security charge. Fares are one way on the net, or $5 more by phone.

^ Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or on peak days.