Virgin Australia launches new trans Tasman services in response to divorce with Air New Zealand

31 October, 2018

Virgin Australia has ramped up its New Zealand offer for Australians with two new routes launching across the Tasman. Its inaugural Melbourne-Queenstown flight departed on 28-Oct-2018 at 9.30am, a day after the inaugural Sydney-Wellington flight departed.

Virgin Australia Airlines Group Executive Rob Sharp said that in addition to these two new routes, the airline has also added extra services across several of their key Australia to Auckland routes, and launched a seasonal service between Newcastle and Auckland.

"Almost 1.5 million Australians travel to New Zealand every year, and we're thrilled to provide an additional 40,000 seats for Australians to make the trip across the Tasman.

"As an airline it's important to us that we support tourism by facilitating travel along these popular routes, and support the growth of traveller numbers between Australia and New Zealand," Mr Sharp said.

In a video released by the airline to media, Virgin Australia GM, network & revenue management Russell Shaw confirmed the schedule for the new services as:

  • Melbourne-Queenstown: Three time weekly, effective 28-Oct-2018, increasing to five times weekly over peak holiday period;
  • Sydney-Wellington: Five times weekly, effective 27-Oct-2018.

Watch the full video below: