MORE REGIONAL SKIES FOR VIRGIN

THE Virgin Australia Group of Airlines will commence new flights on October 1 from Brisbane to regional centres including Gladstone and Port Macquarie under a regional alliance with Skywest.

Subject to regulatory approval, the airline will commence the new services and add extra services between Canberra and Sydney, adding 60 new flights each week to its roster.

Virgin Australia Group executive of alliances Merren McArthur, says the introduction of the new routes will provide guests with convenient schedules.

“Gladstone is a booming city with a thriving economy that supports the resources, tourism and primary production sectors. We have introduced a schedule to suit both the corporate and leisure traveller in this very important market,” she says.

McArthur says the daily services from Brisbane to Port Macquarie on New South Wales’ mid-north coast meant guests no longer need to transit via Sydney when visiting Queensland. The services also provide access to Virgin Australia’s extensive range of international and domestic connections from Brisbane.

Virgin Australia will use its new ATR aircraft, replacing the Embraer E170 and will be leased from specialist leasing company Avation PLC with an initial term of 10 years.

The first two ATR aircraft are named after the Far North Queensland beaches - Mission Beach and Four-Mile Beach.