Virgin Blue expands Darwin presence

[topend3]

Media release from earlier today :

TWO WEEK SALE AS VIRGIN BLUE ANNOUNCES NEW NON-STOP MELBOURNE–DARWIN AND DARWIN – PERTH FLIGHTS

Melbourne – Darwin from $99*

Darwin - Perth on sale for $149*

Thursday 12 March 2009: Virgin Blue has announced a two week fare sale to celebrate the return of competition to the Melbourne-Darwin market with non-stop flights commencing on the route from 28 April 2009. The airline has also re-affirmed its commitment to Western Australia by introducing direct flights between Darwin and Perth from the same date.

Virgin Blue’s new Melbourne-Darwin service will depart the Victorian capital late in the evening six times a week, arriving in the top end in the early morning. The return flight will depart Darwin at 6.15pm and arrive in Melbourne at 10.55pm.

The new Melbourne-Darwin services will carry overnight freight loads under an extension of Virgin Blue’s freight agreement with close partner Toll Priority, enabling the airline to offer affordable fares between Melbourne and Darwin.

Flights between Darwin and Perth will operate daily, departing Darwin at 7.00am arriving in Perth at 9.20am before turning around and landing back in Darwin at 4.25pm the same day. The airline has committed a Boeing 737-800 aircraft to the new routes.

In celebration of the new services Virgin Blue has launched a 14 day sale with special fares available from today until Thursday 26 March 2009, for travel from 28 April until 14 June, 2009:

Melbourne-Darwin: $99* one way on the internet (regular lead-in fares will start from $159 one way)

Darwin-Perth: $149* one way on the internet (regular lead-in fares will start from $279 one way)

[ditzyboy]

Qantas has introduced DRW-PER-DRW flights three days per week and similar timings. I noticed it last week in the QF schedules so perhaps QF had a 'heads up' on DJ's plans.

In addition to the DRW-PER flights are three extra DRW-ADL flights. All ops by -800s.

I am sure Jetstar would have done OK connecting their two new hubs for SE Asia flying (DRW-PER). It would be harder with DJ already on the scene. Although JQ had no worries pushing DJ and Tiger off the scene with their recent ramp up of DRW - so not unheard of.

[wirgin blew]

Good idea getting back into MEL-DRW now that the price of fuel has come back down as it was the original reason for pulling out. Not sure about the 0115 departure time to DRW. The times look a lot better for those in the NT travelling south.

PER-DRW should have been done years ago but good to see it finally happening.

Whats the range of the E190 if they had to use one of those instead of a 737?

[The Bunglerat]

Wirgin, the E190 would certainly have no range issues either MEL-DRW or PER-DRW, just not sure what load restrictions though (if any).

[Con Catenator]

There's a very simple and very good reason why PER-DRW services have been lacking.

It's NEVER been profitable. In the current climate it's doubly so.

Virgin strikes again. More crews out the door.:{:{

[Mr. Hat]

at least their having a go.

[RENURPP]

QANTAS were operating Perth- Darwin-Perth up until recently has that changed?

If it hasn't whats the big deal, another carrier on an already covered route.

You can also get to Perth via Broome with Skywest and Alice with QantasLink. :confused:

Just checked the Qantas web site. They do and have for at least a few years operated Perth - Darwin dep 08.30 arr 12.30 and Darwin - Perth dep 14.20 arr 16.50.

Fare is around $330. thats not too bad.

[skyshow]

Should be a profitable route, especially currently being a one airline, uncompetitive direct service.

I'm sure it'll be a positive move by Virgin Blue. The cheaper fares (now there's competition within the direct service) will further promote the route. And Virgin Blue are obviously re-deploying aircraft around the network in these tough times hence most likely a valued and researched decision.

Not that exciting, you're right. Big deal. But it is a positive move I am sure and exciting for the airline, as is any new route that commences.