So what routes will VA cut ?

[pauly7]

I don't think VA will cease flying to Hong Kong as VS and VA have been given intern approved to code share. so i think it has been fully approved it will be a money maker for VA

Will VS really increase pax that much giving they already on sell VA?

 

[Oxy]

Will VS really increase pax that much giving they already on sell VA?

Correct, the best change they could make together would be cutting the 6.5 layover on the outbound. That's scary enough for me to keep scrolling.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Correct, the best change they could make together would be cutting the 6.5 layover on the outbound. That's scary enough for me to keep scrolling.

Exactly. They’re competing with the likes of Singapore and Qantas who have 1 hour stopovers.

 

[dajop]

Correct, the best change they could make together would be cutting the 6.5 layover on the outbound. That's scary enough for me to keep scrolling.

Easier said than done. I assume LHR curfew and slots constrain the VS timings. As a result the VS flights from HKG-LHR probably don't have much latitude to reach London much earlier. Nor do they have much latitude to depart London much later. So they are stuck with a late afternoon arrival into HKG and late evening departure from HKG.

So what does that mean for VA? You run two hours later, which means reducing outbound connection to 4.5 hrs but increase inbound to 4.5 hrs as well. And what is the significance of the HX feed (which we don't know)? +2 hrs later arrival into HKG could eliminate 7-8 HX flights you feed to.

 

[p--and--t]

Given the info presented here The Trans-Tasman Airline Battle ;

you would have to think they need to seriously review their NZ strategy. 50% less margin per seat and approaching disastrous load factors

 

[jakeseven7]

Given the info presented here The Trans-Tasman Airline Battle ;

you would have to think they need to seriously review their NZ strategy. 50% less margin per seat and approaching disastrous load factors

Yes, NZ routes and frequency will be surely up for (further) rationalization.... The NZ divorce has had a real sting in its tail for VA.

 

[jakeseven7]

So the impending launch of Japan (gulp here we go again) means an almost definite cancellation of a HKG route / severe cut backs.

Any other rumours on the horizon?

 

[exceladdict]

So the impending launch of Japan (gulp here we go again) means an almost definite cancellation of a HKG route / severe cut backs.

Any other rumours on the horizon?

No evidence, but I'd foresee further cutbacks on PER A330 services. All recent 737 transcons on VA i've flown have been full, but the A330s not at capacity.

 

[RooFlyer]

MEL-HKG is gone.

Virgin pulls out of Melbourne to Hong Kong route

Virgin Australia will pull out of the underperforming Melbourne-Hong Kong route, freeing up an aircraft to service the airline’s new Brisbane-Tokyo route from March.

Addressing the company’s annual general meeting for the first time, CEO Paul Scurrah also revealed plans to reduce domestic capacity by 2 per cent, by getting the balance right between Virgin Australia and low cost partner Tigerair.

“There are many instances where we have both aircraft operating on the same routes at the same time,” Mr Scurrah said.

“For example, we’re looking to focus Virgin Australia on routes that have a business and leisure orientation. We’re also looking to refocus Tigerair flights on key holiday destinations.”

He said other changes would see the airline exit uneconomic routes and select more profitable ones.

“On this note we are announcing the suspension of Melbourne to Hong Kong. This route has continued to underperform in line with the political landscape and we feel it’s best served through Sydney,” said Mr Scurrah, alluding to the impact of months of political turmoil in the Chinese territory.

 

[stm1sydney]

Good news. Provides some certainty that SYD/HKG will remain long term, so I can go ahead and book it! And the BNE/HND route sounds like a goer.

 

[ozfflyer]

so 2% cut to domestic

2 tiger A320 & 3 x f100s to go

Virgin Aust to cut domestic capacity 2%

If Tiger is too survive at all, they would surely cut any Tiger routes where competing with Virgin. What about some trans-Tasman ? Surely BNE/DUD must be borderline & NTL/AKL ? If Tigers cost base is in fact lower, surely it would be better if they operated those routes ?

 

[jase05]

so 2% cut to domestic

2 tiger A320 & 3 x f100s to go

Virgin Aust to cut domestic capacity 2%

If Tiger is too survive at all, they would surely cut any Tiger routes where competing with Virgin. What about some trans-Tasman ? Surely BNE/DUD must be borderline & NTL/AKL ? If Tigers cost base is in fact lower, surely it would be better if they operated those routes ?

NTL-AKL has just been extended for 3 years I thought?

 

[Saab34]

The NTL-AKl makes money. The profit margin is funded by the tax payer. Keep milking it while it’s allowed I guess.

 

[ozfflyer]

The NTL-AKl makes money. The profit margin is funded by the tax payer. Keep milking it while it’s allowed I guess.

but surely if Tiger has a lower cost base, Tiger could do it instead, although is AKL/NTL operated with NZ crews ? By timetable it seems that way. Wonder how close costs for NZ VA crews are to TT crews ?

 

[TheInsider]

* Canberra-Perth flights will cease from 6 December 2019
* Gold Coast-Perth flights to end on 19 January 2020
* Sydney-Christchurch flights dropped as of 29 April 2020

 

[ozfflyer]

more Tiger cuts

Virgin Australia to reduce capacity with major fleet and network changes - Travel Weekly

Australia’s second-largest carrier has announced a raft of changes to its fleet and network following a strategic review.

www.travelweekly.com.au

Will next round of cuts be end of Tiger maybe ?

 

[Saab34]

There is expansion also including Melbourne to DPS so that market must make money and increases to some regional routes.

Also Tiger’s exit from ADL-BNE is just going to Virgin.

Tiger sounds like it’s going back to the 2007 model of holiday leisure market. Melbourne to Mackay, Rocky, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Alice Springs, Launceston were its original routes. On time performance will improve very fast once they pull out of the more peak routes.

 

[pauly7]

* Canberra-Perth flights will cease from 6 December 2019
* Gold Coast-Perth flights to end on 19 January 2020
* Sydney-Christchurch flights dropped as of 29 April 2020

A nice big slap to the misbehaving Perth airport as well - cream on top for this announcement of further cuts!

 

[HS-TQE]

Tiger sounds like it’s going back to the 2007 model of holiday leisure market. Melbourne to Mackay, Rocky, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Alice Springs, Launceston were its original routes. On time performance will improve very fast once they pull out of the more peak routes.

Tiger has tried Sunshine Coast twice from memory (once under TR ownership and the most recent attempt under VAH ownership). It did not work out on both occasions.

 

[jase05]

VA are starting MEL-DPS in March