Virgin Australia is making major cuts to its domestic capacity as the latest COVID-19 wave causes operational disruption and weakens passenger traffic.
The post-pandemic market share predictions of Qantas and Virgin Australia surpass the 100% mark—and that is before factoring in the growth ambitions of Regional Express (Rex) and the imminent entry of LCC Bonza.
The broader transpacific partnership is particularly crucial for Virgin Australia since it is no longer offering its own flights to the U.S after restructuring in 2020.
The easing of many domestic border restrictions in Australia will give a welcome boost to the local airline industry as carriers ramp up their interstate networks again.
Virgin Australia’s domestic expansion, the addition of Beirut to Swiss’ network, and Volotea’s tender win in Sardinia are among the latest route announcements and services resuming.
Virgin Australia’s new seasonal flights to Launceston, Wizz Air adding connections from Hungary and Romania and Saudia returning to Manchester are among the latest new route announcements and services resuming.
The latest surge of COVID-19 cases in Australia has dealt a crucial blow to local airlines that were beginning to recover some momentum based on their domestic strength.
As well as further growing its domestic network with seven new routes, the oneworld alliance member is adding more Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 flights within Australia.
The move was prompted by Australian government statements this week that international travel to and from Australia will probably remain at low levels until mid-2022.
Qantas and Virgin Australia are continuing to ramp up their domestic services to nearly pre-pandemic levels, with both airlines bringing in more aircraft to boost their domestic fleets.
