Virgin adds extra flights in response to Sydney’s COVID outbreak
Virgin Australia has added a spate of extra flights and reintroduced several services to unrestricted destinations in response to the developing situation in Greater Sydney and NSW.
The airline is redeploying aircraft and crew to several destinations that are not currently affected by travel restrictions so passengers originally booked to travel to NSW can rebook their holiday for another destination.
The extra flights will also ensure the majority of the airline’s fleet continues to operate throughout the holiday period and many frontline team members can continue to work.
“If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from this pandemic, it’s that Australians have retained their strong sense of passion for travel,” a spokesman for Virgin Australia said.
“Because many have been disrupted by the latest border changes, we’ve updated our schedule and expanded frequencies to several unrestricted destinations these upcoming holidays.
“There’s still plenty of Australia to see and plenty of flights to choose from for travellers looking for an alternative. We’ll continue to monitor these new flights and add more as travel demand increases.”
Virgin will reintroduce daily flights between Melbourne and Darwin with three flights per week between Melbourne and Hamilton Island, and up to seven flights per week between Melbourne and Ballina Byron.
The expanded frequencies include up to six extra flights between Adelaide and Brisbane, and Adelaide and the Gold Coast, up to 16 extra flights between Brisbane and Cairns, up to four extra flights between Brisbane and Hobart and Brisbane and Darwin, and 18 more flights on popular Melbourne holiday routes, adding more than 3,100 seats to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
The extra services are on sale now and will run over the upcoming holiday period to 11 July 2021.
Aussie states and territories have imposed new travel restrictions on those visiting from Greater Sydney, with some shutting out all NSW visitors.
Western Australia and South Australia have both closed their borders with NSW, while Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania have all identified the seven Greater Sydney LGAs mentioned above as hotspots.
New Zealand paused quarantine-free travel from NSW for an initial 72-hour period from 11:59pm (NZT) on Tuesday night, before the country’s Ministry of Health revealed that an Aussie traveller from Sydney, who visited Wellington from Saturday 19 June until Monday 21 June, had tested positive for COVID-19 upon their return to Australia.
On Wednesday, Virgin Australia unveiled a massive national competition to incentivise Aussies to get vaccinated with thousands of dollars worth of prizes up for grabs.
The airline plans to kick off its ‘VA-X & Win’ competition later this year once all adults are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, offering dozens of free business-class flights and the chance to Velocity Frequent Flyer Points millionaire.
All Aussie residents over the age of 18 who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine once eligibility to get the jab is open to all adults will be allowed to enter.
Featured image source: iStock/BeyondImages
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
COVID-19 restrictions domestic flights Greater Sydney nsw state border restrictions virgin australiaLatest News
“Dragged to hell and back”: Qantas’ illegal sackings severely impacted workers’ mental health, court told
A court has heard of the extent the illegal sackings had on former employees, including cases of anxiety and depression.
Qantas to increase domestic lounge fees by 17% next month
QF says the hike will recover lost member fees during COVID. TW thinks its absolutely time to leave the big C behind.
17 per cent rise in business volume drives Club Med success in 2023-24 and beyond
What's next for Club Med? We'd guess another all inclusive resort, but what do we know?
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Scoot’s mega March sale has flights to Athens from $355
With Scoot, travellers can lap up the Parthenon on the cheap! Delving into Ancient Greece has never been so affordable.
Luxury Travel Collection welcomes Ramsgate Travel Services to the group
Ramsgate hopefully to be welcomed to the group with more than just an Eagle Boys party. This is worthy of Domino's!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Unveiling Austria: The Ultimate Destination for Aussie Adventurers!
Looking for a different country to explore but don't want the name to be all that different? Austria is your saviour!
Kyoto’s cherry blossom guide: The one-stop-shop for exploring the city
It can't top Aussie favourites like the Gum or Banksia tree, but we'll give the Cherry Blossom tree the bronze medal.
Entire Travel Group is giving agents $100 for each Rocky Mountaineer booking
Clients mulling a rail holiday and are set on Europe? Convince them Canada is where it's at with Entire's new incentive.
Mickey Mann relocates to Sydney for expansive sales role at TTC Tour Brands
Mickey's gotten the big promotion while TW has finally fixed its coffee machine! It's all happening in the travel world.
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
WEBINAR: Don’t miss the chance to scrub up on England, Scotland and Wales this week
Looking for an excuse to put the feet up for half an hour this working week? Look no further!
Luxury Escapes officially launches its agent hub
Appease your luxury-craving client and score some sweet commission. It's all happening with this new agent portal.
CATO heads to Canberra to discuss the state of travel with Government
Telling someone you're going to Canberra "for work" is a real power move. We've only been for trips to Questacon.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring the TW team to sell it in a can.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains’ 2024/25 program for Aussies has arrived!
Has this got news got you giddy with glee or feeling a bit 'meh'? Well, it's here for you anyway.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news over the weekend? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Qatar Airways CEO unveils ‘Qatar Airways 2.0’
Qatar ushers in '2.0', while TW nurses the Guinness-induced haziness of a Monday after Paddy's Day.
“Airport of the future”: Gold Coast Airport outlines mega plans
What does the airport of the future look like in your mind? If the robots from Wall-E came up then we think alike.
Journey Beyond celebrates 95 years of The Ghan with birthday sale
Do note that today's b'day sale isn't actually The Ghan's b'day. We'd hate for you to get a train's b'day wrong.
Tourism Ireland gets the gang together for Paddy’s Day
'Fill your heart with Ireland' is the campaign name. We prefer fill your stomach with Guiness.
Heritage Expeditions’ new sales manager Australia celebrates appointment with agent famil
He took 11 agents on a trip for his new gig while TW celebrates newbies with a parmi and a pint. Both equal in our eyes.
Uniworld announces S.S. Emilie to sail Europe in 2026
The TW team was once desperate for a river cruise but we ended up at a Uniqlo, not Uniworld. Got a fun shirt though.
INCENTIVE: Double your commission with Inspiring Vacations
Does this news inspire you to flog some Inspiring Vacations trips? Let this article be your inspiration.
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
44,000 tonnes of sustainable fuel needed to meet decarbonisation targets in EU: CLIA
Much less beans in our diet is what the TW team needs to decarbonise. Though Heinz may shut down if that happens.
Scathing revelations send Boeing’s share price plummeting – Market Check
Poor Boeing. It's just not going. Perhaps soon its brand value will be growing. Until then, it's only faults showing.
The $8 million Government initiative to boost sustainable tourism
Putting $8m into sustainable tourism is a much wiser move than our suggestion of putting it all on black at the casino.
Virtuoso ANZ Forum: Award winners, trends, outlook and more revealed!
The forum was full of Virtuosos! By that we mean travel agents and partners, not Beethoven and Rachmaninov.
“Stressful and humiliating”: Blind disability charity executive abandoned by Jetstar at airport
The poorly treated traveller said this was a failure by the airline to meet its obligation to uphold her human rights.
AmaWaterways opens reservations office for ANZ agents
AmaWaterways has someone for you to yak to! It's meant for reservations but we're sure chit chat is also welcome.
IHG hits 1,000 APAC properties, signals bright future ahead
1000 properties is great for IHG but Travel Weekly just got today's Wordle in two guesses! Who's the real winner, huh?
Melbourne bookings up 52% as Formula 1-fever drives racing fans wild
Does Formula 1 drive you wild, to insanity or round the bend? Regardless, it's driving travellers to Melbourne.
Three-quarters of Aussies plan up to 3 trips this year: AMEX
75% of Aussies are keen on a hat-trick this year! Should make up for never getting one in cricket as a kid.