Pacific Blue to start BNE-POM service (Merged)

[stuartfaz]

From Virgin Blue > News and Press Releases

VIRGIN BLUE JOINS FORCES WITH AIRLINES PNG

NEW CODESHARE AGREEMENT BETWEEN AUST AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA

MONDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2008: Virgin Blue’s international airline Pacific Blue (Aust) and Airlines PNG have today jointly announced that they have entered into Heads of Agreement^ that will lead to the commencement of code-share services between Port Moresby and Brisbane from November this year.

Virgin Blue will operate four return flights a week to PNG - a total of 720 seats - using Pacific Blue’s modern fleet of Boeing 737-800 jet aircraft. To celebrate the announcement Virgin Blue has launched a special SALE FARE of AU$249.00* one way on the net (inclusive of taxes fees and charges).

The $249* fares are for travel from 3 November 2008 until 6 December, 2008 and are on sale for 72 hours only (or until sold out). Everyday lead-in fares start from AU$289 one way between Brisbane and PNG.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “We strive to make as many global destinations available to our Guests as possible whether by opening up new routes of our own or through strategic arrangements with quality airlines and we look forward to adding PNG to our expanding network.”

Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, The Hon. Charles Abel MP, applauded the new code-share partnership, “The Government welcomes the joint decision by both Virgin Blue and our own Airlines PNG to enter into this joint partnership agreement to provide airlines services both on the international and domestic sectors.

“My Ministry and the Tourism Promotion Authority of Papua New Guinea have worked hard in bringing genuine and independent competition to our airline sector to address one of the identified weaknesses in Tourism infrastructure and in the country generally.”

Airlines PNG’s Chairman, Simon Wild, said, “This capacity sharing arrangement with Pacific Blue will allow us to further expand our international services and will ensure that travellers to and from PNG benefit from greatly increased competition.”

Airlines PNG’s Chief Executive Officer, John Fitzgerald, added, “When we first started flying between PNG and Australia, we provided real competition that significantly reduced the cost of air travel between our neighbouring countries. This agreement with Virgin Blue will introduce another strong carrier onto the route between Port Moresby and Brisbane and will heighten competition considerably because of the increase in available seat capacity.”

Both carriers have committed to exploring opportunities to enhance the experience for Guests.

[straitman]

A good move by Virgin if it fills a gap that's out there.

Having spent quite a few days/weeks/months in PNG whilst in the RAAF I can't think why I would have any need to go there again.

[openseat]

This is great news. It is true that Airlines PNG really changed the market and now teamed with Pacific Blue it should be even better.
Interestingly SkyAirWorld has done the same with the BNE HIR (Honiara) market, bringing a fair dose of competition.

[yo yo ma]

Air Niugini/ Qantas (codeshare) have also incresed their flights between POM and Australia. They have a new twice weekly service POM-SYD and and significantly increased the number of POM-CNS services. Maybe it was in anticipation of this announcement?

[warbrook]

Virgin slices PNG-Oz fares

Post Courier 12 Sep 2008

VIRGIN Blue’s international airline Pacific Blue (Aust) has launched special fares between Port Moresby and Brisbane from November.
To celebrate the start of code-sharing services with Airlines PNG international, travellers will find the Virgin Blue special sale fare of K538.72 ($A249.00) one way on the net and inclusive of tax, fees and charges.
The airline will operate four return flights a week to PNG — a total of 720 seats — using Pacific Blue’s modern fleet of Boeing 737 and 800 jet aircraft.
The K538.72 fares are for travel from November 3 until December 6, and are on sale for 72 hours only or until sold out and everyday lead-in fares start from K625.27 ($A289) one way between Brisbane and PNG.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said the airline would strive to make as many global destinations available to its guests as possible, whether by opening up new routes of its own or through strategic arrangements with quality airlines and it would look forward to adding PNG to its expanding network.
Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel has applauded the new code-sharing partnership.
“The Government welcomes the joint decision by both Virgin Blue and our own Airlines PNG to enter into this joint partnership agreement to provide airlines services both on the international and domestic sectors,” Mr Abel said.
He said his ministry and the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority had worked hard in bringing genuine and independent competition to our airline sector to address one of the identified weaknesses in tourism infrastructure and in the country generally.
Airlines PNG’s chairman Simon Wild said this capacity sharing arrangement with Pacific Blue would allow them to expand their international services and would ensure that travellers to and from PNG benefitted from greatly increased competition.

[yo yo ma]

Also discussed on the thread below

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...pom-14535.html

[Arthur Hodgson]

Originally Posted by straitman

A good move by Virgin if it fills a gap that's out there.

Having spent quite a few days/weeks/months in PNG whilst in the RAAF I can't think why I would have any need to go there again.

I can only echo this sentiment (my wife was an Ausaid consultant there).

Do DJ really expect to make money from this route?

[warbrook]

Originally Posted by yo yo ma

Also discussed on the thread below

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...pom-14535.html

Oops, sorry! I'd better read further before I post 'news' again!

This is a very welcome development for many PNG people living in Oz and Aussies with PNG connections. Qantas / Air Niugini fares have been exorbitant for many years. Some around-the-world deals have been cheaper than the fare to our home in PNG.