Virgin Australia is continuing to expand its domestic network by launching 3 new services to Gold Coast in time for summer holidays.
3 new routes
From 7th December 2021 to 25th April 2022, Virgin Australia will offer 3-weekly seasonal flights between Launceston Airport and Gold Coast Airport, meaning that 4,224 seats will be available every month. This will be first direct service between Launceston and Gold Coast in more than 2 decades. The flights will run with the following schedule:
- Gold Coast-Launceston
- Departure time: 14:40
- Arrival time: 18:20
- Flight time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
- Flight number: VA1550
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Launceston-Gold Coast
- Departure time: 19:00
- Arrival time: 20:25
- Flight time: 2 hours and 25 minutes
- Flight number: VA1551
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
As of 9th December 2021, the airline will offer year-round daily flights between Cairns Airport and Gold Coast Airport, meaning that 9,856 seats will be available every month.
The schedules for the flights is:
- Gold Coast-Cairns
- Departure time: 08:30
- Arrival time: 11:00
- Flight time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Flight number: VA1057
- Frequency: Daily
- Cairns-Gold Coast
- Departure time: 11:40
- Arrival time: 14:00
- Flight time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Flight number: VA1056
- Frequency: Daily
Finally, from 13th December 2021 to 30th January 2022, Virgin Australia will offer 4-weekly seasonal service between Hobart International Airport and Gold Coast Airport, meaning that 5,632 seats will be available every week. The flights will run with the following schedule:
- Gold Coast-Hobart
- Departure time: 14:40
- Arrival time: 18:25
- Flight time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Flight number: VA1514
- Frequency: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
- Hobart-Gold Coast
- Departure time: 19:10
- Arrival time: 20:45
- Flight time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Flight number: VA1513
- Frequency: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
All of these new services will be operated by Boeing B737 aircraft.
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Alistair Hartley, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Virgin Australia, said:
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. 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.
Patricia O’Callaghan, Chief Executive Officer, Destination Gold Coast, said:
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. 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.
Chris Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Airport, said:
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. 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.
Meanwhile, Virgin Australia yesterday announced that it will resume flights to Fiji in December.
Featured image by Virgin Australia
What do you think of Virgin Australia’s expansion out of Gold Coast? Let me know in the comments section below.
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