Viva Macau Celebrates Start of Flights Between Australia and the “Las Vegas of the East”
A select group of parliamentarians, consular officials, corporate executives, travel trade partners and media representatives participated in gala celebrations late last week at Sydney International Airport to officially mark the service launch of Viva Macau’s direct flights between Sydney and Macau.
During formalities Viva Macau’s CEO, Con Korfiatis said that the carrier had “significant aspirations to grow the Sydney service to a daily operation depending upon load factors” and substantially increase its Asian network.
[Pictured: Viva Macau’s Joseph Said and Clara Zhao welcomed guests to the launch celebrations.]
He expects that constraints on expansion caused by a limited fleet size would ease later this year. Viva Macau plans to acquire two additional wide body Boeings by the end of 2007 and have a total of six aircraft by the end of 2008.
With the larger fleet in place we want to commence flights to Korea, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines before Christmas. During 2008 Viva Macau has plans to launch services to Russia, India and the Middle East, he said.
A daily service would be mounted to Sydney before commencing flights to other Australian cities, he added.
Viva Macau which operates three times a week between Sydney and Macau in a two-class Boeing 767 is the 31st international airline to serve Sydney International Airport.
Macau received 22 million arrivals last year. Some 73,000 visitors came from Australia which ranks this country as the 11th inbound market.
[Pictured: Viva Macau executives Con Korfiatis (left) and Joseph Said toast the airline’s successful entry into the Australian market.]
Mr Korfiatis said that there has never been a better time for Australians to discover Macau particularly following the recent opening of the world’s largest integrated resort.
“The opening of the Venetian Macao introduces an additional 3000 suites, world class leisure and entertainment offerings as well as the largest conference and exhibition facilities providing venues for international events in Macau, a vibrant city that has already attracted the world’s attention with its own charm of mixed culture,” he said.
The carrier has instigated a special holiday package that includes return air travel and three night’s accommodation in a 72 sq. m suite at the Venetian Macao. Prices start from $1098 for economy class and $2685 for premium class passengers.
Viva Macau has set up a dedicated website as well as a professional marketing agent to handle reservations and enquires. Log on to www.flyvivamacau.com.au or contact 1300 848 262.
Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor
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