FreshF deal for airport, airline

VIRGIN Australia and Townsville Airport have inked a new 10-year commercial agreement, confirming the airline’s presence in North Queensland for the long term.

It comes as airlines gear up for big demand for travel during Christmas.

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the agreement enabled the airline to continue investing in growth in the region and followed Virgin’s resumption of direct Townsville-sydney and Townsville-melbourne services this year.

“North Queensland is an important part of Virgin Australia’s network and this 10year agreement signifies our ongoing commitment to prorovide more direct services into nto the region,” Ms Hrdlicka said. d.

“We are a proudly Queensnsland-based company with a continued focus on growing in the region to provide incrededible value and choice to suppport the community.”

Queensland Airports Ltd d CEO Amelia Evans said the e agreement was a result of the e strong engagement between n the airline and airport.

“Virgin Australia and nd Townsville Airport have been en long-term partners since 2001 001 when Virgin commenced serervices on the Brisbane to Townsville route,” Ms Evans ans said.

“Prior to Covid-19 this critiitical link, connecting South East ast Queensland and Townsville, lle moved almost half a million passengers a year. Those numbers are continuing to rebuild as the tourism industry recovers and this new 10-year partnership shows the confidence Virgin Australia has in this region.”

Virgin operated 300 flights in and out of Townsville in October around 30 per cent more than the same time last year.

The airline supports about 35 jobs in Townsville through direct and indirect employment via its ground handler and other third-party suppliers.