AUSTRALIA. Virgin Blue Airlines has expanded its international route network to include Asia for the first time. It will launch 11 direct flights a week between Australia and Indonesia from 1 December.
The airline will fly direct from three Australian airports – Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth – to Denpasar, the gateway to Bali.
The Bali flights mark the first time the Virgin Blue Group will operate direct international flights from both Adelaide and Perth, according to the airline. Virgin Blue will also be the only carrier operating direct Bali flights from Adelaide and Brisbane. It will offer convenient connections from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne to Bali.
The airline currently operates 62 international flights a week from key east coast airports to New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said: “Venturing into a brand new market is tremendously exciting for our group of airlines, particularly given the new flights to Indonesia will be our first foray into Asia.
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“The extra capacity and greater choice created through the entry of Virgin Blue will mean that Bali is now within reach of more Western Australians“ |
Brad Geatches Chief Executive Officer Perth Airport |
“Our Pacific Blue brand has a strong focus on leisure markets and Bali is a natural fit and an obvious choice for Pacific Blue services. It will bring increased competition and a high quality, affordable and importantly, a direct flying option between these three Australian cities and Bali,” he added.
The announcement on Virgin Blue’s new Bali routes comes on top of its recent announcement of additional flights to Broome and new services to Karratha and Newman commencing in October.
Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said that Virgin Blue’s entry into the Perth-to-Bali market brings more competition to the route and more choice for Western Australian travellers.
He said: “Bali is an iconic overseas destination for Western Australians. The new services by Virgin Blue will bring to four the number of airlines servicing the Perth-to-Bali route. The extra capacity and greater choice created through the entry of Virgin Blue will mean that Bali is now within reach of more Western Australians.”
The new Virgin Blue services will operate four times per week from Perth Airport’s international terminal (Terminal 1).
“Perth Airport enjoys a great relationship with Virgin Blue. We are delighted with Virgin Blue’s commitment to Perth and Western Australia and look forward to welcoming the new Bali services in December,” Geatches added.
MORE STORIES ON PERTH AIRPORT
Perth Airport boosts car rental options with new operator as terminal upgrades take shape – 01/08/08
Perth International Airport celebrates its aboriginal heritage with flag raising ceremony – 09/07/08
Perth Airport reveals vision for the future – 05/05/08
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