Virgin Australia drops Cairns-Tokyo service
From late February onwards, affected passengers will need to find a new way to Japan.
Posted:
July 22, 2024 - 3:06 pm
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Passengers looking to lock in a Japan adventure with Velocity Points will soon have one less option. Virgin Australia confirms that it will cease its Boeing 737 MAX 8 Cairns-Tokyo Haneda service from 24 February 2025.
The airline cites the ‘slow recovery of inbound visitors from Japan’ and ‘[consistent] depreciation in the value of the Japanese Yen’ as its key reasons for abandoning the ‘commercially unsustainable’ route.
The route cancellation will impact around 2,000 passengers. Those who booked directly with Virgin Australia will be automatically offered a refund. Anyone who booked through a third-party agency must contact them to organise the refund. Rebookings may be possible for earlier flights flying before 24 February 2025.
Virgin Australia Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer, Alistair Hartley, says the airline’s strong partnership with Japan’s ANA will remain. “We know this is disappointing news, and we are sorry for the impact this decision will have on those guests booked to travel with us from 24 February 2025.”
“Virgin Australia customers and Velocity Frequent Flyer members will be able to book seamless flights with ANA from just about anywhere in Australia to Japan directly on our website. We will also continue to provide Velocity Points earn, Rewards Seats and loyalty benefits on eligible ANA flights,” he said.
The Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund partially funds Virgin Australia’s Cairns-Haneda route. However, the airline hasn’t disclosed whether any potential changes to the funding agreement might have affected the route’s viability.
Virgin Australia is the only carrier that flies a single-aisle jet on flights between Australia and Japan. Due to the Boeing 737 MAX 8’s range limitations, Cairns is the most viable base for this route. Qantas, Jetstar, ANA, and Japan Airlines all operate widebody jets capable of flying from any Australian city to Tokyo with ease.
Airport slots at Tokyo Haneda are also famously very hard to come by. Unless Virgin Australia can launch a new service to Tokyo to keep the coveted slot, the International Air Services Commission may hand it to the Qantas Group. But a new route isn’t likely unless Virgin Australia acquires a widebody jet in the next six months…
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Virgin Australia drops Cairns-Tokyo service was last modified: July 29th, 2024 by
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Virgin Australia Boeing 737-8 Economy Class (Cairns – Tokyo Haneda)
100,000 Membership Rewards Points (worth $500 in gift cards) plus $400 annual Travel Credit with The American Express Explorer Card
The day I see reports of Virgin back in the sky with wide bodies I’m gonna be a happy girl. Probably may never happen but I keep dreaming.
VA has the opportunity to reset its strategy or trajectory of growth under the new incoming CEO such as:
Horizon 1: Focus on growing its domestic network and routes, Order of Twin-Aisle Jets
Horizon 2: Focus on growing its network and routes across NZ and the Pacific
Horizon 3: Focus on growing its network and routes into South East Asia, focussing on complementing sectors not served by its partners e.g. CBR-SIN, BNE-KUL, BNE-BKK etc.
Has 0 to do with servicing the route with a narrow body with seats ill designed for medium haul flying, sub par catering, a sub par business cabin offering (both hard and soft product) and a stop in Cairns to get to any other East Coast destination.