VA responds further to COVID-19 outbreak.
Virgin Australia has just announced it will temporarily cease operating all of its international routes from 30 March through to 14 June 2020.
The group’s domestic capacity will also be halved until 14 June, with the airline grounding the equivalent of 53 aircraft.
VA CEO Paul Scurrah said “we have entered an unprecedented time in the global aviation industry, which has required us to take significant action to responsibly manage our business while balancing traveller demands and supporting the wellbeing of Australians”.
The international suspensions will see Melbourne to Los Angeles cease operating from 20 March, the postponement of the inaugural Brisbane to Tokyo Haneda flight from its original 29 March launch date, and the postponement of the debut of Melbourne to Denpasar, which was also set to launch on 29 March.
The carrier said it would operate a reduced international schedule in the meantime to enable Australians to return home and visitors to their point of origin.
Overall Virgin will ground five Boeing 777s, six Airbus A330s, 34 Boeing 737s, six A320s and two ATRs.
Scurrah said the measures would impact the company’s workforce, with the Group “working constructively with our team members and their unions”.
Flexible booking options are being offered for impacted guests and those who wish to change their travel due to COVID-19. Travellers are urged not to contact the airline unless they are travelling in the next 24 hours or need immediate assistance to return home or to their point of origin.
More in today’s issue of Travel Daily.