Virgin targeting China?

I don't believe this is a repeat, though I think the search facility is seeming to search subjects only, rather than whole articles' texts, so I can't confirm this. (Feel free to redirect this article to News if this is felt more appropriate, by the way.)

Excerpting this Shanghai Daily article:

quote:'We plan to open direct flights from Beijing to London in two years and from Shanghai to Australia in 18 months,' said Branson at a news conference yesterday in Shanghai to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the airline's entry into the city.

Virgin is also talking with several Chinese airlines about flying domestic routes, but Branson said the discussions are still in the early stage and no timetable has been worked out yet.

I admit that I don't habitually read the Shanghai Daily; tip of the hat to this UK Airport News story!

[Scrooge]

I have heard rumblings about a Shanghai - Melbourne run recently, but none from what I would call a credible source, just an FYI, IMHO SRB is not a credible source, however we shall see what the future holds.

[HighFlyer]

What happened with PEK? I seem to recall VS were after the rights to fly direct but it materialized as a code share?

Thanks,
Sarah

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
What happened with PEK? I seem to recall VS were after the rights to fly direct but it materialized as a code share?



VS has the rights. Up until 2001, VS operated LHR-PVG exclusively and BA operated LHR-PEK exclusively. The UK Government did a deal with the Chinese c.2001/2 that allowed BA to start LHR-PVG and VS LHR-PEK. At the time, or not long after, VS announced it wouldn't use the rights but would instead codeshare with CA ( I am not sure if CA got the slots that were earmarked for the route or not). I had semi thought that VS would announce its own direct route before last Summers Olympics but nothing came of it.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
IMHO SRB is not a credible source


Not to SRB bash but the man who is a credible source is Steve Ridgway and anything he normally says is as a direct result of an official VS communication. IMHO SRB has the ability to cause a few problems for the staff at VS by stating his desires as if they are gospel VS policy.


As for PVG being used as route down to MEL. This is an interesting one. I would urge on the side of caution. However rumours have been circulating for a while that NZ are looking into using PVG as a transit point on the UK-NZ market. I have heard they have been looking at either LHR-PVG or MAN-PVG very hard. Of course there could be a very nice tie up in there (somehow) between VS and NZ if any of these rumours have substance.

Having used Shanghai many times as a hub to various other destinations, this could only be a great thing. Could ANA be used as an onward code share from shangahi / PEK?

Presume you mean Air China Woggledog as ANA are based in Japan....

I've not checked recently, but China Eastern used to offer very competatively priced tickets LHR-PVG-MEL.

Distance wise on kangaroo routes there isn't much in it between SIN, HKG and PVG overall. And PVG certainly has enough to offer in terms of a stop over destination and airport efficiency.

However, the biggest hold at the moment is likely to be the visa rules. There isn't a 'Visa on Entry' system available for China, and you are only allowed a 24hr visa free stop over in the Shanghai Area, which tends to lead to a rather rushed night by the time you've allowed for checking in again for your onwards flight the next day.

Also, (though I've not been there for a over a year), whilst there is the infrastructure in place to handle direct transit passengers, it had yet to be implemented. Meaning you had to 'fully arrive', before going upstairs to 'fully check-in' for your onwards flight. And that was a right pain!