Australia domestic flights: Virgin adds two new routes, new lounge

The battle between Virgin Australia and Qantas for domestic travel is starting to heat up, with Virgin Australia announcing it will add two new routes in March, while increasing capacity on some other routes. The airline will add a Melbourne-Ballina Byron route for Easter, from March 29 to April 25, as well as an Adelaide-Sunshine Coast route during the same period. The Byron Bay flight will operate "up to" six times a week according to the airline, with Adelaide-Sunshine Coast four times a week. Virgin will also increase frequency to several key holiday destinations including Cairns, Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine), Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Ballina Byron (Byron Bay), Launceston, Hobart, Broome and Kununurra. The airline cited the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine and the end of Victoria's five-day lockdown in its statement about the increased services. "We have all worked hard to get to a place where we can enjoy these travel opportunities once again, with the added benefit of supporting vital jobs in our tourism destinations," said Virgin Australia Group CE Jayne Hrdlicka. The announcement of the Adelaide route comes as the airline unveiled its lounge at Adelaide Airport, the first to feature a new design and menu.<br/>