Virgin Australia today announced a new flight timetable for the regulated routes of Perth-Albany and Perth-Esperance.

The changes come after the airline approached the Western Australian Government in August proposing the new flight timetable for services to Albany, Busselton, Esperance and Ravensthorpe.

The new timetable is the result of extensive consultation between Virgin Australia, the State Government and community consultation groups.

The new schedule will see the number of Albany flights move from 20 flights per week to 15 and total Esperance flights move from 18 to 13 flights per week. There will also be consequential changes to flights from Perth to Busselton and Perth to Ravensthorpe, however Virgin Australia will continue to operate to both communities.

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines Group Executive Merren McArthur said: “The new flight timetable is designed to maintain the best possible schedule and help ensure the long term viability of the services to Albany, Esperance, Busselton and Ravensthorpe.

“We appreciate the professional evaluation process, especially the contribution of the Department of Transport and community consultation groups, which ensured the best possible outcome for all involved.

“We look forward to continuing to provide vital air services to Albany, Esperance, Busselton and Ravensthorpe. Virgin Australia will continue to work with local communities to promote tourism and leisure travel across the region,” Ms McArthur said.

The new timetable comes into effect from Friday 5 December 2014* and the schedule will be updated to reflect these changes.

Virgin Australia will contact passengers affected by the change to discuss alternate arrangements.

*The schedule changes will not apply to the Perth-Esperance routes on: 9, 10, 15, 17, 22, 23 and 24 December 2014. The schedule change will not apply to the Perth-Albany routes on: 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24 December 2014.