Airline News

AIRLINE NEWS

Virgin Blue announce new baggage prices

Virgin Blue have announced that from Monday they will charge passengers $20 if they fail to pay new baggage fees before they get to the airport.

Customers on discount fares will pay a minimum of $8 for checked luggage for each one-way flight, but those who fail to pay the new charge before they reach the departure gate will be forced to pay $20 at the check-in desk, a News Limited report said.

A spokeswoman for Virgin Blue said the $20 fee was an "incentive" for people to pay online, adding it would be easy for customers to include it when they booked.

The airline said the policy is part of a restructuring plan to offset higher fuel prices without increasing the cost of fares.

Source: au.news.yahoo.com

Labels: baggage, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 9:27 AM

Budget carriers pledge no increases

Australia's budget airlines say they'll continue to offer ultra-low fares despite the rising price of fuel, which now accounts for nearly half their running costs, up from about 20 per cent 18 months ago.

Jetstar and Tiger are the kings of the below-$50 cheapies (although Virgin Blue occasionally joins them in sale periods) and they're not about to alienate bargain hunters.

theage.com.au

Labels: Jetstar, Tiger Airways, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 9:15 AM

Virgin turbulence on fuel

Virgin Blue is set to become a bigger thorn in the side of its 62.7% owner Toll Holdings, with one broker warning the airline is not only losing money, but could need an injection of funds if fuel prices remain at current levels.

UBS's research arm has slashed its forecast for Virgin of $60 million net profit next financial year to a $40 million loss, warning the carrier's capital position could become "strained" if jet fuel prices remain at about $US160 a barrel.

business.theage.com.au

Labels: fuel, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 8:53 AM

AirAsia reveals Virgin plan

ASIA'S largest budget airline, AirAsia, has signalled its interest in launching an "ultra low-cost" domestic carrier in partnership with Virgin Blue, fuelling expectations Australia could soon see the mother of all air fare wars.

business.theage.com.au

Labels: AirAsia, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 3:44 PM

Talks spell 'V' for victory for Virgin Blue

Australia and the US could sign an "open skies" agreement this week that will give Virgin Blue clearance to launch 10 weekly services to the US by the end of this year.

business.smh.com.au

Labels: australia, open skies deal, US, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 9:15 PM

Indonesian airline wants to fly to Australia

An Indonesian airline with a chequered safety record is looking to launch Australia's fourth low-cost domestic airline, raising a further challenge to Qantas-Jetstar and Virgin Blue's dominance of the market.

business.smh.com.au

Labels: australia, Indonesia, Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 3:48 PM

Air NZ says no truth to Virgin Blue rumours

Trans-Tasman carrier Air New Zealand says there is no substance to rumours that it is interested in buying a stake in Australian low cost carrier Virgin Blue.

smh.com.au

Labels: Air New Zealand, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 4:44 PM

Virgin Blue set to grab a slice of US pie

Virgin Blue's plans to fly to North America have been given a boost after the Australian and US governments announced their intention to "conclude a comprehensive open-skies aviation agreement" early next year.

Footloose Adventure Travel

Labels: australia, open skies deal, US, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 5:00 PM

Airlines soar on football, holidays

A combination of football fever and school holidays helped Virgin Blue to record the busiest day in its seven year history on Friday.

theaustralian.news.com.au

Labels: Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 6:08 PM

Airlines cool on taking 62 percent Virgin Blue stake from Toll

TOLL Holdings' plans to offload its 62 per cent stake in Virgin Blue has so far received a lukewarm response, with Singapore Airlines already ruling itself out and Emirates playing down rumours it is interested in the domestic airline.

theage.com.au

Labels: Emirates, Singapore Airlines, takeover, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 9:42 AM

Virgin flags doubling its fleet of Embraer regional jets

Virgin Blue could double its fleet of Embraer jets if the first 20 aircraft prove as successful as management expects. The airline has firm orders for 20 Embraer E-170 and E-190 regional jets but has revealed it still has options on three planes and purchase rights on 17 more.

theaustralian.news.com.au

Labels: embraer, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 9:34 AM

Virgin Blue earnings nearly double

Australian airline Virgin Blue almost doubled its full-year earnings after attracting more corporate travellers, helping offset rising fuel bills.

theage.com.au

Labels: Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 5:06 PM

Virgin Blue launches US flights

Virgin Blue today launched the name of its new long haul international airline, V Australia, which it plans will take to the skies by the end of next year.

theage.com.au

Labels: australia, US, V Australia, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 12:53 PM

War in the air as Tiger challenges Jetstar

The jostling to be deemed the leading budget airline in Australia continues, with Jetstar bettering Tiger Airways' low fares to Tasmania and Virgin Blue revealing it will set up a $61 million headquarters to further its expansion.

theage.com.au

Labels: Jetstar, Tiger Airways, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 10:48 AM

Virgin Blue buys new Australian HQ

Budget airline Virgin Blue has purchased a $61 million Brisbane site for its new national headquarters.

theage.com.au

Labels: australia, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 8:44 AM

Virgin seeks clearance on Australia-US flights

Virgin Blue has stepped up plans to launch flights to the US by November next year by formally asking the Australian Government to renegotiate its US air transport treaty.

theage.com.au

Labels: australia, US, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 3:17 PM

Virgin cuts Sydney deal; targets other airports

Sydney Airport and Virgin Blue have declared peace in their dispute over domestic runway charges in a 'landmark' deal for the Australian aviation industry.

smh.com.au

Labels: runway charge, Sydney Airport, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 9:28 PM

Star leaves door open for Virgin

Star Alliance has left the door open for negotiations with Virgin Blue about membership in its rapidly expanding airline group.

theaustralian.com.au (page not found)

Labels: membership, Star Alliance, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 2:24 PM

Frills add substance for Virgin

Virgin Blue's shift from being purely a low cost carrier is proving to be a lucrative move, with the airline predicting a 60 per cent rise in annual profits.

theage.com.au

Labels: low cost airline, profit, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 8:29 PM

Virgin Blue considers new low cost model

Virgin Blue is set to launch an international carrier in the face of intense competition in the aviation industry.

theage.com.au

Labels: competition, international, Virgin Blue

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 8:32 PM

Virgin lures home buyers with free-flight offer

Home buyers who take out their mortgage with Virgin Money will be entitled to two economy airfares with Virgin Blue.

theaustralian.com.au

Labels: mortgage, Virgin Blue, Virgin Money

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posted by iTravelnet news @ 8:35 PM