Virgin Blue to launch double daily direct flights between Canberra and Sydney

Virgin Blue has announced it will launch double daily direct flights between Canberra and Sydney from April 28, as the first new domestic route for the carrier in 2003.

The low fare airline will take delivery of more brand new aircraft in 2003 and will direct one of these on to the new Sydney-Canberra route.

Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said, "The Canberra-Sydney route was the only remaining top 20 Australian domestic route not serviced by Virgin Blue and travellers were therefore missing out on our great low fares and sensational service."

The recent move to larger terminal facilities at Sydney airport has paved the way for new flights in and out of the New South Wales capital and the airline is fulfilling its promise of adding more services and low fares now that it has room to grow.

Virgin Blue has designed its Canberra-Sydney schedule to meet the needs of business and Government travellers commuting in either direction between the two cities.

To ensure the success of the route, the airline will continue to lobby the Government for fair treatment in ensuring taxpayers money isn't wasted on bloated Federal travel budgets.

"Up until now, the travel policy of most Commonwealth departments has been to basically write Qantas an open cheque. Clearly taxpayers expect the Federal Government to take advantage of the same sort of cost savings that true competition is bringing to the private sector.

It's really up to the Government now to decide if they truly support competition, and if they do, we will certainly add more flights to Canberra", Brett Godfrey promised.

Canberra based travellers will be able to take advantage of a convenient morning departure at 8.30am with a late afternoon return at 4.30pm.

In addition, ACT Guests will be able to take advantage of more connections via Sydney to Brisbane, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

Sydney based travellers will be able to make the most of their business day in Canberra with an early morning flight to Canberra at 7.10am and a convenient return flight arriving home in time for dinner at 6.40pm.

"The twice daily service will also mean affordable travel for those who up until now had to either pay through the nose or drive between Sydney and Canberra. Now, anybody, not just the well-to-do, can afford to fly to Canberra to lobby their cause", finished Brett Godfrey.

Virgin Blue will offer a $49* one-way launch fare special on sale from today until 31 December for travel between 28 April 2003 and 25 October 2003.

Everyday low fares will start from $75* one-way on the net with a Fully Flexible fare of $165 one-way on the net, 28% less than Qantas' Fully Flexible fare of $228 one-way.

* All fares include the passenger ticket levy, GST, airport charges and the global security charge and are for flights booked on the Internet. $10 more by phone.