Virgin Blue has launched its campaign to serve international destinations with an application to Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) to fly to Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu.
The Brisbane-based carrier wants approval to offer 1,260 seats a week on Fiji services and 720 seats a week to Vanuatu, launching in October using 177-seat Boeing 737-800s. The airline seeks unlimited capacity on New Zealand routes, the launch of which would depend on the outcome of the Qantas-Air New Zealand alliance proposal.
Meanwhile, Qantas is boosting Australia-Los Angeles services from 25 to 28 a week from the end of June, rising to 30 a week by early August, due to increased demand after the end of the Iraq war and the improved SARS situation. The airline is also adding 14 Boeing 747 Australia-Johannesburg services in October and November during the Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Source: Flight International
