Sir Richard Branson joins V Australia team to celebrate new flights between Sth Africa & Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia: Sir Richard Branson will touch down in Melbourne this evening on a celebration flight from South Africa, heralding a new growth phase for V Australia with the introduction of new services between South Africa and Australia. The airline has launched brand new direct flights twice a week between Melbourne and Johannesburg, bringing some new competition to a route traditionally the domain of a code-share monopoly.

In the past three months, V Australia has rapidly expanded its Melbourne operations, adding new direct Melbourne to Los Angeles flights, as well as direct flights from Melbourne and Brisbane to Phuket, Thailand. The airline announced plans to launch twice weekly services between Melbourne and Johannesburg back in October last year and forward bookings have been trending above expectations.

Sir Richard Branson will be travelling on the celebration flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne, bringing some special Guests to Victoria, including South African based media to experience what Australia has to offer.

He also seized the opportunity to announce that V Australia will increase flights on the new route from two to three services a week following the arrival of V Australia's 5th aircraft later this year, off the back of strong demand for the twice weekly services.

"We have been absolutely delighted with the support V Australia has received for these new flights, not surprising given the close affiliation between the two countries and their respective people. While Australia and South Africa make terrific sporting sparring partners, the destinations offer vast contrasts for visitors with their native animals, environment and cultures."

He added, "We are very pleased to announce a third weekly service will start from December this year and are excited by the challenge to bring the V Australia style of flying to this new route and opening up a new world of opportunities to stimulate Australian tourism and business relationships."

From December 16, the airline will add a Thursday flight to its initial Tuesday and Saturday schedule, offering a more convenient spread of services for both business and leisure travellers.

V Australia will be focusing on attracting business Guests to the new service, targeting key corporate accounts and small to medium businesses, while at the same time, stepping up a campaign to attract visitors to Melbourne and other Australian destinations from South Africa.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, 'There is a very strong existing VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) market between South Africa and Australia and we are confident we can further stimulate this through affordable fares, while at the same time promoting Australia as a highly desirable leisure destination for South African tourists."

V Australia is offering some fantastic fares to celebrate the launch of its South African services. Fares between Melbourne and Johannesburg start from $1,493 return in International Economy Class, $2,999 return in International Premium Economy and $5,999 return in International Business Class, and are available through to the 23rd March 2010*.

V Australia's every day fares between Melbourne and Johannesburg start from $2,158 return in International Economy Class, $3,707 return in International Premium Economy and $6,300 return in International Business Class. Fares on the route are down more than 25% from levels available before V Australia announced plans to begin flying on it.

V Australia's sister airline, domestic carrier Virgin Blue, has readjusted its domestic schedule to ensure seamless and convenient connecting flights from destinations across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide, as well as from New Zealand.

The airline has chosen the Australian Koala Foundation as the recipient charity for its in-flight fundraising efforts to assist in the conservation and management of the wild koala and its habitat.