So what routes will VA cut ?

[bcworld]

Does anyone know when VA will start selling fares on MEL-DPS direct flights? I know flights start March 2020.

On sale as of yesterday I think.

Fares of $499 rtn mentioned but couldn't find anything like that for non school holiday dates later next year...more like $700+.

 

[jase05]

DRW-ASP getting the chop from Jan 29th

 

[Bagpuss]

DRW-ASP getting the chop from Jan 29th

Bit interesting that it's mainly serviced by VARA.
Maybe due to the reduction of F100 frames.

 

[Mattg]

Does anyone know when VA will start selling fares on MEL-DPS direct flights? I know flights start March 2020.

Yep, been on sale for a couple of weeks now. Schedule is:
VA025 MEL1645 – 2110DPS 737-800
VA026 DPS2320 – 0655+1MEL 737-800

Flights start 29 March 2020. On the same date, VA will reduce SYD-AKL from 19x weekly to 14x weekly. Presumably this is where the aircraft for the 5x weekly MEL-DPS flights is coming from. Makes sense given trans-Tasman has been a bloodbath lately.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Yep, been on sale for a couple of weeks now. Schedule is:
VA025 MEL1645 – 2110DPS 737-800
VA026 DPS2320 – 0655+1MEL 737-800

Flights start 29 March 2020. On the same date, VA will reduce SYD-AKL from 19x weekly to 14x weekly. Presumably this is where the aircraft for the 5x weekly MEL-DPS flights is coming from. Makes sense given trans-Tasman has been a bloodbath lately.

Judging from my recent searches, the flights are well subscribed too.

 

[TheInsider]

Judging from my recent searches, the flights are well subscribed too.

MEL-DPS on a 737 would be weight restricted by quite a lot too.

 

[AIRwin]

MEL-DPS on a 737 would be weight restricted by quite a lot too.

More than BNE or SYD?

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Maybe bodyboard bags from MEL have a higher weight product?

 

[dajop]

More than BNE or SYD?

BNE is 70 miles further from DPS than MEL whilst SYD is 152 miles further.

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
A reminder that this thread is about what routes will be cut, not what routes are being added.

Please take discussion about VA adding routes elsewhere.
[/mod hat]

 

[Alyopsis]

Bit interesting that it's mainly serviced by VARA.
Maybe due to the reduction of F100 frames.

Following up on the Alice Springs to Darwin Virgin cut, there's data (BITRE?) in this article which gives an indication why Virgin is ending flying the sector

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[Bundy Bear]

A bunch more towns got cut.
Albury ( Rex will cheer this one)
Mildura
Port Macquarie
Tamworth
Hervey Bay
Cloncurry
Hervey Bay
Ayers Rock(Uluru) this will be first to come back.
And Tonga for oversea.

 

[adrenaln]

A bunch more towns got cut.
....

Sigh,.... I really wanted to support VA getting back on its feet, this now makes it impossible. If they're planning something with Alliance they need to let their frequents know asap, otherwise it's time to let the VA Platinum lapse and go exclusively QF... The irony is 90% of my flying was onward from SYD so all that will be lost to QF too.

 

[Mattg]

Looks like many of the ATR72 routes are going, as you'd expect when they're getting rid of those planes. I can imagine it's a bit hard to make a route like SYD-TMW work with a 737.

I'm disappointed to see SYD-TBU going, I was booked on that route in May and hoping to reschedule to a later date.

I wonder what they'll do with SYD-CBR once the ATRs are gone? They used to have regular flights throughout the day, which wouldn't make sense when you've only got 737s. Will SYD-CBR be down to a morning and an evening flight (essentially handing most of the market to QF)?

 

[jakeseven7]

Looks like many of the ATR72 routes are going, as you'd expect when they're getting rid of those planes. I can imagine it's a bit hard to make a route like SYD-TMW work with a 737.

I'm disappointed to see SYD-TBU going, I was booked on that route in May and hoping to reschedule to a later date.

I wonder what they'll do with SYD-CBR once the ATRs are gone? They used to have regular flights throughout the day, which wouldn't make sense when you've only got 737s. Will SYD-CBR be down to a morning and an evening flight (essentially handing most of the market to QF)?

They will have to run SYD-CBR more than that surely, even if they run it at a loss... but I guess the 737's will cost them a bomb on this route....

I remember reading that route and MEL-CBR have one of the largest feeders to the rest of the domestic network of all routes in Australia in terms of % onward traffic (Which makes sense I guess given the type of people flying in and out) which means not only would VA2 be handing the point to point traffic to QF, they would be handing over all the onward traffic to QF as well regional/forward destinations as well.... because who likes splitting a domestic leg with two carriers..... no one....

Tough decisions though I suspect....

 

[docjames]

A bunch more towns got cut.
Albury ( Rex will cheer this one)
Mildura
Port Macquarie
Tamworth
Hervey Bay
Cloncurry
Hervey Bay
Ayers Rock(Uluru) this will be first to come back.
And Tonga for oversea.

None of those a big surprise (Hervey bay was so bad it was cut twice?). Mostly serviced with low frequency or ATRs.

Uluru will surely come back once tourism travel returns.

Tonga - was that tied to their deal with Samoa?

Whilst there is demand at each for travel from these locations to larger centres and a couple would have semi-decent business travel, without the ATRs, the routes must surely rely on tourism to fill seats and would be un-economic to resume until significant demand recovers.

 

[mrmerc500]

With these 8 domestic routes cut, what is outstanding now except for a return to CBR, couple more routes to Darwin & Hamilton Island other than NZ & South Pacific? Longer routes up the coast directly from Melbourne?

I’m surprised with Mildura, that was once daily which wasn’t suited to business travellers however it was previously an E190 route so the 737 maybe uneconomical.

If my guess is correct, the route operated for about 11.5 years so its a disappointment that VA has built up no doubt a loyal regional VA customer base to now hand over to the red roo.

I always had praise for VA in launching new routes and trialing the market for new direct routes. Hope to

 

[Scarlett]

There is a match made in heaven for Rex and VA if they are able to think laterally... now more than ever!

 

[dajop]

Yes, I wonder if the Rex "threat" to enter the golden triangle turns out to be a bargaining chip for them to become and more signficant partner for VA. Part of their release to ASX earlier this year also mentioned they are exploring a relationship with the maker of ATR42 and ATR72, which would be better suited to many of the routes VA is exiting than a Saab or 737.

 

[jakeseven7]

There is a match made in heaven for Rex and VA if they are able to think laterally... now more than ever!

If Bain/VA2 were smart they should realise they will desperately need a regional partner, at the very least just interline with Rex.