23 July 2008

V Australia applies for Sydney Johannesburg rights.

With Qantas and South African Airways having enjoyed a virtual dupopoly on the lucrative Australia South Africa route, which is currently experience very high loads and yields, it is not surprising to hear that V Australia has applied to fly between Sydney and Johannesburg.

Sydney and Johannesburg is V AustraliaÃ¢â¬â¢s second international route, the first being SYD Ã¢â¬' LAX, with the original approval for ten services per week, but V Australia having subsequently applied for unlimited capacity.

An application with the International Air Services Commission to fly five services per week between Sydney and Johannesburg has been lodged, coming after the Federal Government secured a new air services agreement with South Africa earlier this month.

V Australia plans to commence from October 1, 2009 on a Boeing 777- 300ER with 361 seats, competing head on with Qantas, the only carrier who flies direct between Sydney and Johannesburg with five services, under a code share agreement with South African Airways.

IASC also recently announced that announced Qantas had applied for an additional two services on the route.

A Report by The Mole