Virgin Australia leads Australian first with delivery of sustainable aviation fuel at Brisbane Airport

One of the leading Antipodean air carriers, Virgin Australia announced it has achieved an Australian first, with the successful completion of a trial to deliver sustainable aviation fuel through Brisbane Airport’s general fuel supply system.

Working in partnership with the Queensland Government, Brisbane Airport Corporation, US-based biofuel producer Gevo, Inc. and supply chain partners Caltex and DB Schenker, Virgin Australia led the procurement and blending of sustainable aviation fuel, or biojet, with traditional jet fuel for supply into the fuel infrastructure at Brisbane Airport.

This is the first time that sustainable aviation fuel has been delivered through the general fuel supply system at any airport in Australia and makes Brisbane Airport one of the few airports globally where this has occurred.  

It is the last straw, according to Virgin Australia.

The last straw........   

A leading Australian airline is helping to lead the aviation industry. both locally and internationally by completely removing plastic straws and stirrers from both its lounges and its in-flight service product.

Virgin Australia says the move will see more than 260,000 plastic straws and 7.5 million plastic stirrers a year removed from operations and have been replaced with paper straws and bamboo stirrers. This is just one step that Virgin Australia is undertaking to ensure that its products and services are aligned with greener solutions.

Virgin Australia General Manager of Group Sustainability, Rob Wood, said that introducing paper straws and bamboo stirrers, although being small changes, will have a positive impact both in the air and on the ground. “We are proud to have eliminated plastic straws and stirrers from our services. This is part of our focus to improve the sustainability of the packaging we use as a business and to reduce the amount of single-use plastic across our in-flight and Lounge offerings.

Virgin Australia enhances trans-Tasman services

Virgin Australia is stepping up the competition on trans-Tasman services since it was dropped by Air New Zealand in favour of a Qantas tie up that continues at such a pace, many in the industry are tipping a merger announcement before the end of the year.

Virgin Australia will introduce a whole range of enhancements to its services from the 28th October on routes to Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin will receive:

• A substantial meal and drink included in all fares;

• At least 23kg of baggage included in all fares;

• WiFi on all flights including 15 minutes of complimentary access; and

• Increased Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and Status Credits earn potential.

Rob Sharp Virgin Australia Airlines Group Executive, said the airline was excited to provide an even better product and service for guests travelling to New Zealand. “Last year, 1.5 million Australians flew to New Zealand and we’re looking forward to making their trip across the ditch even more enjoyable with a meal and drink as well as WiFi so they can keep connected whilst in the sky,” he said.

Newcastle - Auckland and Hobart - Perth more new routes for Virgin Australia

A new Virgin Australia service between Newcastle and Auckland will be launched on 22nd November the airline has confirmed.  The route will be served by a Boeing 737-800 and will be operated on Tuesday's, Thursday's and Sunday's. 

The flight VA199 will depart Newcastle at 1930 arriving in Auckland, New Zealand at 0025,  VA198 Departs Auckland at 1710 to arrive Newcastle at 1845.  

The city pair hasn't been served directly for 16 years and the route launch announcement was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack MP.  He said, Newcastle Airport is a major gateway into New South Wales and now plays an important role in global connectivity by facilitating travel and tourism opportunities between Australia and New Zealand.

Virgin Australia starts Sydney to Hong Kong route - plus new codeshare deals

There's a celebration going on down under, as Virgin Australia launched its inaugural flight between Sydney and Hong Kong, further expanding the airline’s international network and Greater China presence.

Virgin Australia Group CEO and Managing Director, John Borghetti A.O. said: “Today marks an important milestone for Virgin Australia as we launch our second route to Hong Kong, from Sydney.”

“Hong Kong is an important gateway to China, which is Australia’s most valuable and largest inbound tourism market. Through our Hong Kong services and world-class alliance partners, we’re able to capitalise on this growth, which has positive flow on effects to our domestic network and the Australian economy.

“Guests can now travel beyond Hong Kong to 17 destinations within China with Hong Kong Airlines and Hainan Airlines or to London via our codeshare partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Samoa - A New Destination For Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia confirmed last week that it will introduce flights to Samoa starting on 13th November.

The deal ensures there will ensure there is no disruption in services between Australia and Samoa when the Virgin Samoa joint venture services end on 12tn November.  Virgin Australia will operate five return services per week from Auckland to Apia, up to two return services per week from Sydney to Apia, and up to two services per week from Brisbane to Apia. The services are still subject to relevant regulatory approvals. 

Increased Hong Kong Schedule For Virgin Australia

The antipodean aeronautical purveyor Virgin Australia has announced it will increase its schedule to Hong Kong from 12th November 2017.

The popular carrier is making the service a daily operation from the 12th,  its flight VA87 will depart Melbourne late morning/midday each day. The return flight VA86 will depart Hong Kong each evening and arrive in Melbourne the next morning. Tickets for the new schedule are already on sale. 

Acting Group Executive of Virgin Australia Airlines Rob Sharp said: “Hong Kong is a very important part of our strategy for Asia. We’re thrilled to be able to offer travellers a daily schedule of flights to Hong Kong. Whether you’re travelling for business, on holiday or visiting family and friends, it’s fantastic to have the choice of flights every day of the week.

Green light for Virgin Australia China and Hong Kong

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has authorised Virgin Australia to coordinate airline services for five years with the HNA Aviation Group, Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways.

“The Alliance Framework Agreement may see additional airline services operate between Australia and mainland China, and Australia and Hong Kong,” the ACCC stated.

“The ACCC considers the alliance will likely realise significant public benefits, primarily through supporting the introduction of new services between Australia and mainland China and Hong Kong including by Virgin,” ACCC Commissioner Roger Featherston said.

Ups and downs for Virgin Australia

          Virgin Australia have reported a A$98.1 million ($87.6 million) full-year net loss.

 

The Australian airline blamed difficult economic conditions, strong competition and one-off costs related to its recently acquired Skywest business, in the announcement on Friday.

 

The highly thought of air carrier said major shareholders Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines had agreed to provide a loan worth A$90 million.

      

Virgin Australia is a highly respected airline and for the fourth consecutive month had been Australia's most punctual airline, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics.

Virgin Australia buys Tiger for a Dollar

Virgin Australia took full control of Tiger Australia, buying the remaining 40% it did not already own from the budget carrier's Singapore-listed parent. 

SYDNEY—Budget carriers turn a buck by keeping costs down on everything from airfares to in-flight drinks. But in the case of Tiger Australia, it is the airline itself that is going cheap—a nominal one Australian dollar.

On Friday, Singapore-listed Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. said it was exiting the Australian aviation market by selling its 40% interest in the loss-making budget carrier to Virgin Australia , which owns the remaining 60% stake.

For Virgin, the deal gives it more heft to take on dominant carrier Qantas Airways Ltd. , with which it has been locked in a battle to rule the domestic market for years. Qantas, Australia’s flagship carrier, currently has around two-thirds of the market for domestic air travel.