WE’LL BE PRIDE OF THE SKIES
VIRGIN Australia is hopeful its domestic operations will be close to full capacity by July, allowing it to secure more than one-third of the airline market and make a bold attempt to resume international travel.
The nation’s second largest carrier is hopeful vaccine rollouts will prevent further state border closures and allow the airline to compete as a mid-market offering between its main rivals Jetstar and Qantas.
Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka said the next few months could be bumpy, but she was confident the airline’s revamp to target customers wanting a premium experience at a lower price point would pay off.
“We intend to be very competitive,” Ms Hrdlicka said in Brisbane ahead of the airline’s first ever Pride Flight to the Sydney Mardi Gras. “We intend to have 33 per cent of the market. We will be Australia’s most loved airline.”
The major domestic rival to Qantas intends to win customers over with lounges at major transit hubs and premium food and beverage offerings. It is also looking to reinstall in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi across its three-tiered seating class options, which will be based on leg room.
The airline intends to roll out its new business class offering next month and also a new menu for purchasing food and beverages in economy classes.
“We’ll have the right mix of things that matter to the middle-market consumer” Ms Hrdlicka said.