From DJ website:
VIRGIN BLUE INCREASES SERVICES IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
MELBOURNE - HOBART SERVICES DOUBLED
LAUNCH OF SEASONAL SYDNEY - LAUNCESTON DIRECT DAILY SERVICES
50% INCREASE IN WEEKDAY MELBOURNE – GOLD COAST FREQUENCIES
SECOND DAILY SYDNEY - SUNSHINE COAST SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS PERIOD
ADDITIONAL MELBOURNE – LAUNCESTON SERVICE FOR HOLIDAYS
Virgin Blue’s bold expansion plans are gathering momentum, with the announcement today of even more flight choices across a number of popular routes in time for the Christmas holidays.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, “It is evident from demand on our current services that thousands of people are taking advantage of Virgin Blue’s low fares and our enhanced schedule will provide more opportunity for travellers to get away with affordable air travel to more and more destinations across the country with both non-stop and connecting services”.
The new services include:
(1) Effective 15 and 16 December 2002
Melbourne-Hobart
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ174 8.40am 9.50am Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
DJ192 5.00pm 6.10pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Hobart-Melbourne
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ179 10.20am 11.30am Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
DJ195 6.45pm 7.55pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
The low fare airline will double services between Melbourne and Hobart in time for Christmas with two additional daily flights to and from the mainland.
While only commencing Melbourne – Hobart services two months ago, strong load factors on existing services and demand for extra flights prompted Virgin Blue to boost capacity, with the new flights specifically designed to offer business travellers real choice in the market with a convenient day return option.
The new services will also provide another low fare alternative for those eager to get away for the holidays or to visit friends and families.
Everyday one way low fares start from $99* one way on the net.
(2) Effective 15 December 2002
Sydney-Launceston
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ456 10.30am 12.05pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Launceston-Sydney
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ457 1.30pm 3.10pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Virgin Blue will also introduce a new service between Launceston and Sydney with the launch of daily direct seasonal flights.
Following strong demand on current connecting flights between the two cities Virgin Blue has launched the new daily service with fares starting from $149* one way and a Fully Flexible walk-up fare of $299* one way, 29% less than the $419 walk-up fare the competition has been demanding from the travelling public until now.
(3) Effective 19 December 2002 UNTIL 13 January 2003
Melbourne-Launceston
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ630 8.40pm 9.40pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Launceston-Melbourne
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ629 9.10pm 10.10pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
In addition, a third daily service between Launceston and Melbourne will also be added to the schedule for the Christmas holiday period.
(4) Effective 16 December 2002
Melbourne-Gold Coast
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ987 11.30am 12.30pm Y Y Y Y Y N N
DJ987 12.00pm 1.00pm N N N N N Y Y
Gold Coast-Melbourne
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ988 1.00pm 4.10pm Y Y Y Y Y N N
DJ988 1.30pm 4.40pm N N N N N Y Y
Flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast are also included in the flight bonanza with the addition of a third daily service from Monday to Friday providing an extra 50% increase in weekday frequency over existing service levels.
Weekend flights will also receive a boost with an extra daily flight bringing the total to four flights a day on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Everyday one way low fares start from $149* one way on the net.
(5) Effective 21 December 2002 UNTIL 13 January 2003
Sydney-Sunshine Coast
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ497 3.45pm 4.15pm Y Y Y Y Y N Y
DJ497 4.00pm 4.30pm N N N N N Y N
Sunshine Coast-Sydney
FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ498 4.45pm 7.20pm Y Y Y Y Y N Y
DJ498 5.00pm 7.35pm N N N N N Y N
The addition of a second daily seasonal service between Sydney and Maroochydore will be offered until January 13, 2003 to cope with demand for the new direct service that was launched only four weeks ago.
The new late afternoon timing provides good early evening returns from the Sunshine Coast to the NSW capital allowing travellers to make the most of their time on the coast.
Everyday one way low fares start from $109* one way on the net.
The latest round of extra flights will further expand Virgin Blue’s existing route network with its brand new Boeing 737 aircraft to be operated on all of these routes.
”These are exciting times for Virgin Blue, it’s a huge growth phase for us as we cement our position as Australia’s leading low fare airline, the only carrier offering real low fares on a regular basis as well as genuine and friendly service in the air and on the ground”, Brett Godfrey finished.
* Fares include all taxes and charges and are for flights booked on the Internet. $10 more by phone.
