| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 31 |
| Copyright: Other |
Branson to launch Virgin Blue on Brisbane-Sydney route
SIR RICHARD Branson’s new Australian airline, Virgin Blue, will launch its low-fare service with seven daily return flights between Brisbane and Sydney.Exact fares and schedules will be announced by the end of this month but the airline is expected to be up and running by September, subject to approval by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The initial route will be followed within weeks by a Brisbane-Melbourne service. Sydney-Melbourne is set to be the third service, due to start after the Sydney Olympics.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said: “Queensland is a tremendous growth market and after selecting Brisbane for our headquarters, it is only natural we focus on Queensland’s capital for our launch routes.”
The airline has confirmed plans to fly five high capacity Boeing 737-400s and is considering a further fleet expansion by the end of the year, either to increase frequencies or open up new routes where it believes a low fare service will succeed.
A team of Australian pilots are scheduled to bring the first aircraft to the country from sister airline Virgin Express shortly.
Meanwhile, Virgin Blue has unveiled its new logo featuring a curve resembling the nose of a 737 aircraft as well as a boomerang.
Profits: closer ties would bring more beneficial results