Virgin adds extra Sydney flight
Virgin Blue says that passengers have the chance tonight to snap up a bargain airfare as Virgin Blue celebrates doubling its jet service between Port Macquarie and Sydney.
The budget airline yesterday announced a second daily return flight between Port Macquarie and Sydney in a show of confidence only five months after touching down in the Hastings.
To celebrate the second service, Virgin Blue will offer 200 seats for $2, including taxes and surcharges, during a two-hour internet sale from 6pm today for travel between August 4 and August 31.
The service boost comes a fortnight after the airline announced a $50 million cost-saving package as part of its response to continuing record fuel prices.
Virgin Blue’s new late afternoon return flight between Port Macquarie and Sydney takes the number of weekly Virgin Blue seats in and out of Port Macquarie from 546 to 1092.
The 78-seat Embraer late afternoon jet service is initially available for a trial period between August 4 and October 25.
A decision on retaining the service will then be made.
The airline already tweaked the timing of its existing morning service to an earlier flight in response to community consultation.
Virgin Blue spokeswoman Amanda Bolger said the airline had closely watched the demand over the past five months.
“It has become quite clear we’ve had a tremendous support from the community and we’ve had great feedback,†she said.
“Literally, bums on seats speak volumes for us.â€
Virgin Blue’s response is to step up its Port Macquarie jet service to double daily flights.
“We’ve been happy with the (Port Macquarie) trends in terms of bookings and that has given us confidence to put this second flight in,†Ms Bolger said.
“It is very significant for us to do this, especially after the fact we’ve only been operating this route for five months.â€
Ms Bolger said the double daily service was added faster than expected and the airline would look to the continue the second service if it proved sustainable.
“Port Macquarie is up there is terms of being one of the communities that has really got behind us from day one,†she said.
The service boost means more hours for Virgin Blue’s 11 ground crew and ground handlers working at the airport.
As for other destinations, Ms Bolger said it was a matter of “wait and seeâ€.
A Report by The Mole from the Port Macquarie News
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