Virgin Australia continues to expand its domestic network launching three new services in time for summer holidays, including the first commercial service linking Launceston and the Gold Coast in more than two decades

Scheduled to take off in December, the new direct services will go on sale from today and allow more than 19,000 passengers per month to travel between Gold Coast, Cairns, Hobart and Launceston

Tickets are on sale from today at virginaustralia.com with Virgin Australia offering one-way Economy sale fares from just $79 until 11.59 AEST Friday 15 October 2021, or unless sold out prior

Seasonal services will operate between Gold Coast, Launceston and Hobart, whilst services between Gold Coast and Cairns will operate year round

$79 Sale fares are available on all the routes, including double Status Credits as part of the Velocity promotional bonus Status offer launched last month^

Virgin Australia continues to offer free book flexibility to change or cancel to travel credit with no fees, available for travel up to 28 February 2022**

Sale fares are available to be booked using travel credits and Future Flight Credits.

12 October 2021: Virgin Australia continues to expand its domestic network as COVID-19 vaccination rates rise and confidence grows, today launching three new services:


Launceston – Gold Coast // Gold Coast – Launceston*

Hobart – Gold Coast // Gold Coast – Hobart*

Cairns – Gold Coast // Gold Coast – Cairns

Scheduled to take off in early December, the three new routes will allow over 19,000 additional passengers to fly each month between Gold Coast, Hobart and Launceston, providing a boost to local business and the tourism sector and allowing more Virgin Australia team members to return to the skies.

The announcement includes the first commercial service connecting Launceston and the Gold Coast in two decades, which will operate three times per week, and allow for up to 4,224 additional passengers each month to fly directly between the two cities.

The fares will be on sale from $79 one-way from today until midnight Friday 15 October and can be booked at virginaustralia.com and include double Status Credits as part of the Velocity promotional bonus Status offer launched last month^ over the school holiday period.

COMMENTS FROM ALISTAIR HARTLEY VIRGIN AUSTRALIA CHIEF STRATEGY & TRANSFORMATION OFFICER

“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,” said Mr Hartley.

“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.”

COMMENTS FROM DESTINATION GOLD COAST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PATRICIA O’CALLAGHAN

“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,” Patricia O’Callaghan said.

“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,” she said.

COMMENTS FROM QUEENSLAND AIRPORT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHRIS MILLS

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills said the new services would start during what was usually the peak tourism season and as travel nationally started to ramp up.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Freedom to book with Flexible Flying

To give customers added confidence when booking, Virgin Australia is waiving applicable change fees and allowing unlimited changes for bookings for travel between now and 28 February 2022***.

New services:

*Seasonal services. Launceston-Gold Coast between 07 December 2021 – 25 April 2022. Hobart-Gold Coast between 13 Dec 2021 – 30 Jan 2022.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

**Fares are on sale from 12.30am Tuesday 12 October to 11.59pm Friday 15 October AEST, unless sold out prior. For travel on selected dates between 7 December 2021 and 21 December 2021 and between 10 January 2022 and 6 April 2022 (inclusive) booked at virginaustralia.com. Travel periods and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Payment surcharge may apply. Full T&Cs at www.virginaustralia.com

***Changes must be made prior to travel date. Fare differences may apply. Cancellations with refund to other forms of payment as per fare rules. See virginaustralia.com for terms and conditions.

^Bonus Status Credits Promotion is valid between 12:01am AEST 01 October 2021 to 11:59pm AEDT 31 March 2022 (inclusive). For more information on Status Credits and bonus earn rates, visit https://experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com/partners-offers/airlines/vi... Terms and conditions and exclusions apply, visit https://experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com/partners-offers/airlines/vi... full terms and conditions.