Virgin Blue wins CAPA award

Hi there

This item from the Melbourne AGE

Budget airline Virgin Blue has won the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's (CAPA) Airline of the Year award.

The Brisbane-based airline shared the award with AirAsia which is based in Malaysia.

CAPA said the two airlines, although operating in different environments, had spearheaded a new direction for the Asia Pacific airline industry.

"In just a few short months, last year's predictions that the low cost phenomenon had no place in this region have been overturned - and the industry will never be the same again," CAPA said.

The centre said Virgin Blue had confounded most "experts" by growing its market share beyond 30 per cent against Qantas.

Its listing on the stock exchange exceeded all expectations and valued the airline at around $2.5 billion - after starting three years ago with just $14.73 million in seed capital.

Virgin Blue, operating as Pacific Blue, also plans to commence international operations between Australia and New Zealand in February 2004.

Australia's other major airline Qantas won the CAPA Asia Pacific Airline of the Century of Flight which is given to the airline that has played the most significant role in Asia Pacific aviation over 100 years.

CAPA said Qantas was a clear choice with its incomparable safety record and longevity - it was established on November 16, 1920, less than 17 years after the Wright Brothers' first powered flight in 1903.


This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003

Cheers
Tubbsy


Next flights.see http://www.anthonytubbs.com for details

PACIFIC BLUE ANNOUNCES DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM SYDNEY TO WELLINGTON & CHRISTCHURCH

On the centenary of powered flight Pacific Blue Airlines has today announced it will further increase its Trans-Tasman services, confirming it will launch two new direct services early next year.

The International low fare carrier takes off on 29 January with its inaugural Brisbane-Christchurch flight, which will be closely followed by a Melbourne-Christchurch service from 4 March.

The airline has committed to launch two new routes on 10 March which are:

Direct daily flights between Sydney and Wellington
Direct daily flights between Sydney and Christchurch
The new Wellington service will herald Pacific BlueÕs first foray into New ZealandÕs North Island and fulfils a promise to fly to Wellington made by Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey during a flying visit to the city in 2001.

Pacific Blue CEO Tony Marks said, ÒWhile there may be plenty of Trans-Tasman competition to Auckland, until now Wellington has been largely overlooked and trapped in an airline duopoly. We think this market has great potential both for its cultural attractions such as the Te Papa Museum and its easy access to some of New ZealandÕs best wineries.Ó

The Christchurch based carrier will also begin direct flights between Sydney and its home base Christchurch following huge demand for convenient and affordable Trans-Tasman flights to New ZealandÕs South Island which features some of the most stunning scenery in the world.

Tony Marks continued, Ã’It is also going to be a huge benefit to Sydney based New Zealanders who have friends and family to visit back home and for visitors to both the North and South Island.

ÒFurthermore, the new flights mean that business people will be able to approach the New Zealand market as affordably as they can do in other States in AustraliaÓ, he finished.

A special launch fare of $149* one-way is on sale from now until 25 December, 2003 and is for travel from 10 March to 30 November 2004 for travel on both routes.

Once the launch special is finished, the low fare price will be $199* (Mid-Week Mini-Fare) with a Fully Flexible fare of $399*, 43% cheaper than what the nearest airline competitor is offering.

As per industry practice all fares in Australia are shown in A$ and include all taxes and charges

Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or peak days. Fares are quoted ex-Australia one way on the net or $10 more by phone (all prices and charges are in AUD). International flights commencing January 2004 subject to receipt of government approvals. Mid-Week Mini-Fares are available for travel on Tuesdays & Wednesdays and are subject to availability.

SYDNEY-WELLINGTON SCHEDULE

SYDNEY-WELLINGTON EFFECTIVE 10 MARCH 2004

FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 42 8.25am 1.30pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

WELLINGTON-SYDNEY EFFECTIVE 10 MARCH 2004

FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 45 2.30pm 4.05pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

The schedule for Wellington has been designed to allow convenient onward travel to the key tourism areas of Nelson, Marlborough and Wairarapa.

SYDNEY-CHRISTCHURCH EFFECTIVE 10 MARCH 2004

FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 78 6.00pm 11.00pm Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

CHRISTCHURCH-SYDNEY EFFECTIVE 10 MARCH 2004

FLIGHT N0. DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
DJ 71 6.15am 7.40am Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

The Christchurch schedule was designed with an after work departure and early morning arrival to allow travellers to New Zealand to get the most out of their South Island holidays.

NOTE: Due to day light savings the timings may vary at certain periods of the year. Timings also may vary on weekends.

here mord update for you hop you like it.

Raymond Kirk