Virgin Australia Airlines (formerly Virgin Blue Airlines) (Brisbane) and Skywest Airlines (Perth) have been granted tentative approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a proposed corporate alliance between the two carriers according to this article by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Additionally Virgin Australia has announced additional flights as part of an accelerated capacity growth plan for major corporate, resources sector and leisure routes. The airline will be introducing the following:

• From February 13, 2012, extra services between Brisbane-Melbourne, Sydney-Melbourne and Adelaide-Melbourne – and also between Brisbane-Cairns and Brisbane-Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine).
• From February 19, 2012, an additional return service will also be introduced between Brisbane and Gladstone on Sundays in response to demand.
• From February 20, 2012, extra services will also be added between Brisbane and Rockhampton.
• Adelaide-Melbourne: An additional return flight Mondays through Fridays; taking the total number of flights offered between the two cities up to 10 per day or 130 per week.
  Brisbane-Melbourne: An extra return flight seven days a week; taking the total number of flights offered on the route up to 13 daily or 174 per week.
  Melbourne-Sydney: An extra return flight seven days a week; taking the total number of flights offered between the two cities up to 31 daily or 392 per week.
• Brisbane-Gladstone: One extra return flight on Sundays (using the ATR); taking the total number of flights offered by the airline on the route to 34 per week.
  Brisbane-Rockhampton: An extra return flight, Monday to Friday; taking the total number of Virgin Australia flights between Brisbane-Rockhampton up to 78 per week.
  Brisbane-Cairns: An extra return flight will be added every day except Saturdays; taking the total number of Virgin Australia flights between Brisbane and Cairns each week to 80.
  Brisbane and Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine): An additional return service, Monday to Friday, will be introduced; taking the total number of flights offered by the airline on the route to 24 per week.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

In other news, Virgin Australia has retired its last Embraer ERJ 170.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Still painted in Virgin Blue’s brand, Embraer ERJ 170-100LR VH-ZHF (msn 17000255) passed through Honolulu on January 25 on its trek across the wide Pacific Ocean headed eastbound. None of the ERJ 170s were repainted in the new Virgin Australia identity.

Skywest Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Virgin Australia Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Virgin Blue Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Skywest Airlines Route Map (click to enlarge):

Click on the map to enlarge.