Virgin Australia defers most short-haul international service

Virgin Australia Group is postponing most short-haul international flying, including flights to Fiji’s Nadi and Bali in Indonesia, until at least December amid shifting projections around international border restrictions. The Australian group cites the recent federal budget predictions for the aviation sector, including for international travel, where “visitation is expected to remain low until at least mid-2022”. However, “continued efforts” by Australia’s state and federal governments to refine trans-Tasman travel arrangements will allow the carrier to operate Boeing 737 services between Sydney-Queenstown and Brisbane-Queenstown, as planned from 18 September, and Melbourne-Queenstown services from 7 December, the airline notes. It adds that “while the international travel outlook remains uncertain, domestic travel continues to improve and the airline is continuing to review its domestic network to ensure it is responding to growth opportunities here in Australia”. On the other hand, flights into Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are deferred from sale for the time being alongside services to Port Villa in Vanuatu, Apia in Samoa and Honiara in the Solomon Islands.<br/>