Virgin Blue Airlines (virginblue.com.au) Boeing 737-8FE WL VH-VUE (msn 34167) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin America (San Francisco) and Virgin Blue Airlines (Brisbane) have started their unique in-flight teammates exchange program.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Please click on the photo for the full details.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group (Virgin Blue Airlines, Pacific Blue Airlines and V Australia) (Brisbane) and Air New Zealand (Auckland) had their proposed trans-Tasman alliance initially denied by Australiaโs antitrust regulator. The regulator was concerned this alliance would reduce competition.
Both carriers can appeal the decision and provide more information before September 24 when a final decision will be made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
In other news, Virgin Blue is planning to introduce a new brand.
Read Richard Branson’s comments concerning these recent decisions in the Herald Sun:
Virginblue.com.au (Virgin Blue Airlines) Boeing 737-8FE WL VH-VUA (00-Mile High Karaoke) (Black Eyed Peas) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin Blue Holdings Limited (Brisbane) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) have signed an agreement establishing a commercial partnership that will enable Virgin Blueโs international arm, V Australia, to launch direct services to Abu Dhabi in 2011 and the two airlines to offer a joint network of more than 100 destinations from October 1, 2010.
Together, Etihad and V Australia will move towards a total of 27 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Australia โ including double-daily services between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flights and six frequencies per week between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.
V Australia will operate three Sydney-Abu Dhabi services per week from February 2011 and three Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services per week by February 2012, using its new fleet of three-class Boeing 777-300ER and becoming the first Australian carrier to operate to the Middle East since 1991.
From October, Virgin Blue Group customers can access Etihadโs network of 65 destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Subcontinent. All Virgin Blue services will be available to Etihad customers, opening up 45 destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia, South Africa and Los Angeles.
In other news, The Virgin Blue Group of Airlines announced the second phase of its network review with the introduction of Airbus A330-200 aircraft for its domestic network and an overhaul of its international long haul network.
The introduction of the two Airbus A330-200 will increase the fleet size to 90 aircraft. The first A330-200s will operate services between Perth and the east coast of Australia.
From February 2011, Virgin Blue will consolidate its international V Australia network to two strategic hubs in Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi providing a gateway to a truly international network through partnerships.
V Australia will withdraw from its loss making Boeing 777-300 services to South Africa and Phuket.
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Boeing 737-8FE VH-VUA (msn 33997), decorated with the “Mile High Karaoke” markings taxies at Sydney.
Virgin Blue Airlines Boeing 737-7FE WL VH-VBY (msn 34323) (VB’s 50th) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group (Virginblue.com.au) (Brisbane) is reviewing its entire operation and network and may decide to discontinue some of its brands. The Pacific Blue operation is reportedly losing money and may be axed.
Read the full report:
Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Virgin Blue’s special 50th Aircraft scheme as painted on Boeing 737-7FE VH-VBY (msn 34323).
Virgin Blue Airlines (Brisbane) intends to acquire up to 105 new Boeing aircraft if it exercises all of its options.
Read the full report from Reuters:
Virgin America (San Francisco) announced today (April 1) that it has partnered with V Australia Airlines (Sydney) and Virgin Blue Airlines (Brisbane) to allow each airline’s loyalty program members to earn points when taking flights on the three Virgin-branded airlines.
Read the full press release:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Virgin-America-Announces-prnews-1650526458.html?x=0&.v=1
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) and Virgin Blue Airlines (Brisbane) and its V Australia (Sydney) subsidiary will commence their code sharing alliance in January.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Delta-Virgin-Blue-Airlines-prnews-3250673498.html?x=0&.v=1
Copyright Photo: Mir Zafriz. VH-VUA is pictured at Perth with the special decal.
Virgin Blue Airlines (virginblue.com.au) (Brisbane) on October 9 operated a “Mile High Karaoke” flight between Melbourne and Perth with the Black Eyed Peas. Boeing 737-8FE VH-VUA carried special titles for the event.
News link:
Virgin Blue Airlines (virginblue.com.au) (Brisbane) is reportedly in discussions with Boeing about an order for 30 to 50 new aircraft.
News link:
www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idCNSYD36539320090916?rpc=44
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) has confirmed it is in negotiations with the Fijian government to sell its 46 percent share in flag carrier Air Pacific (Nadi). QANTAS would like to introduce Jetstar Airways service to Fiji to offset plans by Virgin Blue to introduce V Australia service to the islands.
News link:
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26045948-643,00.html
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