Virgin adds 10,000 seats on new routes to skirt border closures

Virgin Australia has announced the addition of 10,000 new seats across two new routes ahead of the September school holidays, which skirt the border closures that currently impact the country’s most populous states. From September, Virgin Australia will fly direct from Adelaide to Launceston for the very first time, as well as re-introduce direct flights between Adelaide and Darwin. Notably, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory are currently the only three states without major travel restrictions in place, and people can freely move between these states. The news will add over 4,000 seats per month between Adelaide and Launceston, with three return services per week, as well as 6,000 seats per month between the South Australia capital and Darwin, with four return services per week. “With open borders between South Australia and Tasmania and Northern Territory, we’re able to finally start direct flights between Adelaide-Darwin, as well as offer a new direct service between Adelaide-Launceston,” said Dave Emerson, Virgin Australia CCO. “With the September school holiday period fast approaching, we know our great value and fully flexible airfares will help families who are able to travel, to experience all of the wonderful things to see and do in and around Adelaide, Launceston and Darwin.” It comes as the airline continues discussions with unions over the possible stand-down of over 1,000 of its employees, after more than half of the country was plunged into lockdown and state borders once again snapped shut.<br/>