VA's COVID-19 Minimal Network Schedule

[Cubiscus]

I would book with points, but yeah money is way too much risk.

It would be good if the VA website reflected the actual schedule.

 

[Hooizzit]

Someone with more 'legal' expertise than me can probably elaborate, but isn't it near to 100% safe to buy a ticket from "Virgin Australia (under Administration)" which is a separate entity to "Virgin Australia"?

 

[TheInsider]

Someone with more 'legal' expertise than me can probably elaborate, but isn't it near to 100% safe to buy a ticket from "Virgin Australia (under Administration)" which is a separate entity to "Virgin Australia"?

I highly doubt it, the company can still and may go into Liquidation. I've got zero legal knowledge though.

 

[Melburnian1]

To what extent NSW Premier Gladys Berijiklian's warning or advice to NSW residents 'not to travel to Melbourne' (due to the latter's community transmission of COVID-19 cases) will have on travel demand is not yet clear.

On Wednesday 24 June, there are 44 flights (all airlines) shown as departing from SYD on the Sydney Airport website. Of these, 14 are Melbourne-bound.

VAd has four departures today from SYD, two of which (33 per cent) are down to MEL. 33 per cent is a high dependence on one destination (although QFd today has half its flights bound for MEL ex SYD).

Ex MEL, VAd has six total departures, two of which (33 per cent) are for SYD.

Apparently in some Melbourne suburbs that are in LGAs highlighted as 'problem areas', Woolies and Coles (and probably IGA/ALdi) are reporting a (to use a bad pun) run on toilet paper. This tells me that panic has set in, so if that's the case, fewer Melbourne residents will go on holidays if yet to book.

I don't perceive the situation as positive for any travel provider, with Ms Berijiklian having gone so far as to 'encourage' NSW tourism businesses not to accept Melburnians in hotels.

The attitude of the Federal Government remains that State borders should remain open, or where closed, should be opened up.

It's difficult as there's no vaccine, but conversely, how much damage does one do to economies given that so far Oz has only had just above 100 deaths when the usual flu season allegedly can see up to 3000?

 

[p--and--t]

with Ms Berijiklian having gone so far as to 'encourage' NSW tourism businesses not to accept Melburnians in hotels.

I saw those reports and wondered if any hotelier following her advise could be sued in contravention of discrimination or other laws.

 

[Melburnian1]

I saw those reports and wondered if any hotelier following her advise could be sued in contravention of discrimination or other laws.

I don't like a silly focus on 'discrimination' but you're really referring to section 92 of the Constitution that states how intercourse between the states shall be absolutely free.

 

[Melburnian1]

This quote is from 'The Australian' of Friday 3 July 20202 as part of an article about VA:

'...In the last week of June, flights climbed 34 per cent, from 87 a day to 117, still a long way off pre-COVID levels of 751 flights a day. '...'

The figures are for all carriers' domestic flights, not just VAd, but it's a useful figure to bear in mind. I assume it's for a selected weekday.

The continuing exclusion (unless quarantined for 14 days) of Victorians from Queensland has apparently already seen VAd (and JQd/QFd) cancel some planned flights on the MEL - BNE and other Vic-Qld routes.

 

[Melburnian1]

With the NSW/Victorian border to close from midnight on Tuesday 7 July - i.e. the start of Wednesday 8 July - one would expect VAd (plus JQd and QFd) will drastically reduce timetables from Wednesday.

Impossible to plan for, and very short notice. Costly to a whole range of businesses including airlines.

This will adversely affect passenger numbers and profits what is normally Australia's most lucrative airline route.

While the NSW and Victorian school holidays differ by one week, the border closure affects both.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Wednesday 29 July 2020 at about 1200 'high noon', the Queensland Premier announced that Sydneysiders (including I assume anyone visiting) would be barred from Queensland in an escalation of border travel bans.

I have updated the VA 'delays/cancellations' thread. VA (and QF) have each cancelled an early evening flight. On top of that, VAd and QFd aren't operating any 'own metal' SYD to MEL southbound flights today. Extraordinary once upon a time, but now we just shrug our shoulders.

Expect more flights to be cancelled close to departure date given that fewer passengers will be able to travel on the BNE - SYD - BNE route.

 

[Melburnian1]

This won't be any solace to those of us unable to travel, or who lose their jobs because of State border bans, but it's just appeared on 'The Australian' website so here a small extract:


'Border closures offer “minimal additional protection” against COVID-19 infection, according to an infectious diseases expert giving evidence on the third day of Clive Palmer’s Federal Court bid to tear down Western Australia’s hard border.

Professor Peter Collignon was giving evidence under tough questioning from principal legal advisor to WA’s Attorney General, Joshua Thomson.

Mr Palmer claims the McGowan government’s hard border stance is unconstitutional because it restricts the free movement of Australians across the country...'

 

[Melburnian1]

At 1300 hours on Wednesday 5 August, the NSW Premier announced that from Friday 7 morning, any Victorians arriving in NSW would be treated like international arrivals and be made to stay in a hotel, quarantining, for 14 days at their own expense.

Returning NSW residents will only be allowed to do so through Sydney Airport, not by driving. (Exception: border residents).

As if it wasn't small enough already, this will further reduce demand for BNE-SYD and MEL-SYD flights.

 

[Melburnian1]

The ban on international (passenger-carrying) flights inbound to MEL is to continue until 24 October after a decision of National Cabinet.

That more or less coincides with the start of the southern hemisphere's summer timetables.

 

[AIRwin]

"Let your state surprise you" sale:
https://specials.virginaustralia.com/au/sale/let-your-state-surprise-you?icmpid=va|c_rev|au_beta|fre|state_surprise|t2_aug20

 

[mrmerc500]

"Let your state surprise you" sale:
https://specials.virginaustralia.com/au/sale/let-your-state-surprise-you?icmpid=va|c_rev|au_beta|fre|state_surprise|t2_aug20

Would one go to Broome early November?

Accommodation is a lot cheaper, just heard it’s more humid so a good pool is required and is early wet season but probably little chance of rain but if any thoughts on heading North ex Perth, hit us up as keen to fly again!

 

[Melburnian1]

'The Australian' online mid-afternoon on Sunday 1 November 2020 reports that the newly reelected Queensland Premier is vowing to keep her State's border shut until 'at least 1 DEcember 2020' to (Greater) Sydneysiders and all Victorians. She will 'review' this at the end of November: to me, that means few flights until perhaps a week into December at the very least, because organising aircraft to again operate, crews and numerous other matters is unlikely to be achieved in 24 hours.

Madness. Costly to so many.

 

[antycbr]

'The Australian' online mid-afternoon on Sunday 1 November 2020 reports that the newly reelected Queensland Premier is vowing to keep her State's border shut until 'at least 1 DEcember 2020' to (Greater) Sydneysiders and all Victorians. She will 'review' this at the end of November: to me, that means few flights until perhaps a week into December at the very least, because organising aircraft to again operate, crews and numerous other matters is unlikely to be achieved in 24 hours.

Madness. Costly to so many.

Simple. Ground all flights in Queensland.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The tick in the VA website bookings, for lounge access, under J fares, on the VA booking website has arrived back/reappeared.
But the bottom still says their lounges are (still) closed.

 

[Melburnian1]

The tick in the VA website bookings, for lounge access, under J fares, on the VA booking website has arrived back/reappeared.
But the bottom still says their lounges are (still) closed.

'The Oz' reported in the last day or so that lounges remained shut, although article focused on The Club.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Not sure if VA's version of CL will be back.
Thought Bain said it was gone.

 

[AIRwin]

VA has announced the reintroduction of 4 times weekly MEL-HBA and MEL-LST services from November 27, and daily from December 14. The airline will also reintroduce twice weekly services between BNE and LST from November 23.​