Virgin Blue launches A$ 49 fare on Canberra - Sydney route

Virgin Blue has launched one of its ad-hoc "wow" sales on the Canberra-Sydney route which takes off June 6, with every seat on every flight up for grabs for A$49* one-way on the net.

The A$49* fare is available on every seat, on every flight, every day on the Canberra-Sydney route from June 6. Bookings can be made now over the net at www.virginblue.com.au and are valid for travel from June 6 until June 30.

Virgin Blue spokesperson Amanda Bolger said, "We are proud of our position as the Australian low fare leader and with A$49* one-way fares, a 50 minute flight is the most cost effective, efficient way to travel between the two key cities. By the time you pay for a tank of petrol or a train ticket and  spend a few hours driving on the Federal Highway or sitting in a train, you could already be climbing the Harbour Bridge or touring Parliament House."

The A$49* one-way Canberra-Sydney or vice versa fare offer is not just ideal for leisure travellers but also business guests, as they can turn up at the airport during June and jump on a Virgin Blue flight for less than what they will fork out for their lunch meeting at the other end.

Amanda Bolger continued, "We are looking forward to saving taxpayer dollars by attracting our fair share of Government travel, not only during this special sale period but into the future.

With the new convenient direct Sydney-Canberra service, value for money fares, strong on-time performance and genuinely friendly team members, there is a great opportunity for public servants and politicians to get better value for their travel budgets."

As part of its push to provide additional flight options and frequency across its route network, Virgin Blue has also announced it will double its frequency on the Canberra-Brisbane route, taking it to a twice daily service from October 7.

It follows continued strong support for the existing flight and an increase in forward bookings as Queenslanders look to head south for some snow and skiing and Canberrans fly north for some winter warming.

The second daily flight will offer a day return option from Canberra to Brisbane leaving at 8.55am and arriving in Brisbane mid-morning. The return flight leaves Brisbane late afternoon, landing back in Canberra in time to knock off at 5.15pm.

Fares between Canberra and Brisbane start from A$100* (Mid-Week Mini Fare) one-way on the net. 

Today's announcement will see Virgin Blue more than doubling the number of flights in and out of the ACT.

Virgin Blue has also boosted frequency on the Sydney-Melbourne route, widely recognised as one of the busiest in the world. The additional two return flights takes the number of weekday daily flights from 19 to 21, with  the extra flights scheduled during the morning peak period to cater for the increasing number of corporate Guests flying with the airline.

* All fares include the passenger ticket levy, airport charges and the global security charge and are for flights booked on the Internet. $10 more by phone. Mid-Week Mini Fares are for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for direct services only. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights  or peak days. Special Canberra-Sydney A$49 fare on sale until 30 June, or until sold out, for travel between 6 - 30 June, 2003. Flights commence on 6 June 2003.