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Virgin Australia continues to expand its domestic network as COVID-19 vaccination rates rise and confidence grows, today launching three new services: • Cairns – Gold Coast // Gold Coast – Cairns
• Launceston – Gold Coast // Gold Coast – Launceston*
• Hobart – Gold Coast // Gold Coast – Hobart*
Scheduled to take off in early December, the three new routes will allow over 19,000 additional passengers to fly each month between Gold Coast, Hobart and Launceston, providing a boost to local business and the tourism sector and allowing more Virgin Australia team members to return to the skies.
The announcement includes the first commercial service connecting Launceston and the Gold Coast in two decades, which will operate three times per week, and allow for up to 4,224 additional passengers each month to fly directly between the two cities.
The fares will be on sale from $79 one-way from today until midnight Friday 15 October and can be booked at
virginaustralia.com and include double Status Credits as part of the Velocity promotional bonus Status offer launched last month^ over the school holiday period.
COMMENTS FROM ALISTAIR HARTLEY VIRGIN AUSTRALIA CHIEF STRATEGY & TRANSFORMATION OFFICER
“Virgin Australia recognises there’s a growing demand and increasing confidence to travel, and that’s why we’re excited to announce three new Gold Coast services today, taking off this December,” said Mr Hartley.
“The new direct services will allow for over 19,000 extra passengers each month to connect with loved ones and visit the destinations they’ve been dreaming about this summer.
“Virgin Australia is proud to be the first airline to connect Launceston and the Gold Coast in two decades. From December up to 4,224 passengers each month can now enjoy the Gold Coast’s spectacular beaches and theme parks and visit Launceston’s lavender estate and the wine region of Tamar Valley.
“Gold Coast is a big winner in today’s announcement, with the city expected to receive an injection of up to 9,856 extra passengers each month, providing an early Christmas present to the hundreds of tourism operators, hospitality venues and local businesses who rely on the economic boost tourism provides to their community.
“For Tasmania, never before has Virgin Australia operated to this many mainland ports from the Apple Isle. Since
September, we have announced six new routes to Tasmania, providing a significant boost to local tourism and over 28000 additional seats each month.”
COMMENTS FROM DESTINATION GOLD COAST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PATRICIA O’CALLAGHAN
“This increased connectivity into the Gold Coast is estimated to inject over $43 million into the local economy, which is very
welcomed after a challenging 18 months for our tourism industry,” Patricia O’Callaghan said.
“Well timed to kick-off in the lead up to Christmas, families and friends can take that trip they’ve been dreaming of and
reconnect at our spacious beaches, lush subtropical rainforest, in our theme parks and at the hundreds of tours and
attractions, dining and retailers we have dotted around the region.
“Thank you to Virgin Australia for their vote of confidence in the Gold Coast and to our partners Gold Coast Airport, City of Gold Coast and Tourism and Events Queensland for their valued support,” she said.
COMMENTS FROM QUEENSLAND AIRPORT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHRIS MILLS
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills said the new services would start during what was usually the peak tourism season and as travel nationally started to ramp up.
“When the Gold Coast-Launceston flights start in early December, it will be the first time a scheduled service has operated on this route in more than 20 years – creating another new market for the Gold Coast,” he said.
“Extra capacity on the already popular Gold Coast-Hobart and Gold Coast-Cairns routes is also extremely welcome.
“These services will deliver more options for visitors wanting to come to the Gold Coast and for locals looking to holiday in Tasmania and North Queensland.”