Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International) has announced it will enter the New Zealand/Australia-Samoa market following the dissolution of Virgin Samoa (Apia Faleolo).
In a statement, the carrier said the first flights, which recently secured International Air Services Commission (IASC) approval, would launch on November 13, the day after its Virgin Samoa services are due to cease.
Subject to the relevant Samoan government regulatory approvals, Virgin Australia aims to operate a 5x weekly Apia Faleolo-Auckland International, New Zealand service alongside 2x weekly flights to Apia from each of Sydney Kingsford Smith and Brisbane International in Australia. Operations are on-board B737-800 equipment.
“We are excited to enhance connections to Samoa through flights with Virgin Australia," Virgin Australia General Manager Network and Revenue Management Russell Shaw said. "We want to continue to support Samoa and provide valuable tourism opportunities to the Samoan economy. We look forward to receiving approval from the Samoan Government to commence these operations."
As previously reported, Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo) will commence operations on November 14 offering a 6x weekly Apia-Auckland route as well as a 2x weekly Sydney Kingsford Smith service. Operations are on-board B737-800 metal to be leased from Icelandair (FI, Reykjavik Keflavik).
