It's the reservations stats that indicate the need and potential viability of a direct service. Taking passengers off two connecting flights frees up more seats to be sold on those sectors and saves handling costs at expensive connecting points. More a case of a glass half full than half empty. The Embraer may be a real cost saver for Virgin Blue especially when loads drop during off peak times on trunk routes, or on flights to tourist destinations subject to vagaries of current economic climate.