note

Australia first successful low cost, no frills domestic scheduled passenger airline founded by Richard Branson of Virgin Group and Brett Godfrey. Airline commenced operations in August 2000. Virgin Blue operates throughout Australia from its hubs at Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Airline's stock was floated at Sydney stock exchange in 2003. In January 2004 Virgin Blue formed sister company Pacific Blue which focuses on leisure travel between Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia. Virgin Blue also formed Polynesia Blue together with the government of Samoa in 2005. In March 2007 V Australia was formed to compliment Virgin Blue's and Pacific Blue's service with long-haul service from Australia to Asia, USA and Europe. Virgin Blue became major player in Australia airline market and carried over 15 million passengers in 2008. Virgin Blue is the only other member of the Virgin Airline group permitted to use the "Virgin" Callsign. In 2009 due to the World Economic Crisis, Virgin Blue found itself with a number of surplus aircraft, the flight and cabin crew. Instead of making any staff redundant, Virgin Blue took over a number of Pacific Blue's international routes (DPS, HIR, WLG and POM, as well as ADL and MEL to NAN) to operate themselves under a wet-lease arrangement. For these routes the wet-leases are operated by Virgin Blue Holdings, ICAO Code VBH and callsign of "Bluey". On 4 May 2011, the former Virgin Blue revealed its new name, Virgin Australia, as well as its new livery. In addition to the new name, branding and livery, the airline also showed off its new flagship the Airbus 330 with new domestic business class. On March 18, 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, the airline ceased its overseas routes, and by the end of the month, requested government assistance to continue its domestic operations. By April 10, it was down to a single Melbourne-Sydney roundtrip. On April 21, 2020 its parent entered administration and filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the US. In June the parent was sold to Bain Capital. As travel restrictions were relaxed, the airline increased its domestic schedule and planned to resume short haul international flights. Regional and Tigerair Australia service will not resume.

founded - demised (age)

January 10 2001 - present  (24years)

headquarters

Level 11, 275 Grey Street South Brisbane QLD 4101, Brisbane

web

www.virginaustralia.com

base airports

YSSY Kingsford Smith International Sydney	hub
YBBN Brisbane Airport Brisbane	hub
YPPH International Perth	hub
YWLM RAAF Williamtown Newcastle

related operators

Virgin Australia International	International Arm
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines	subsidiary
Tigerair Australia	acquired 17/10/2014
Virgin Australia New Zealand	rebranded to VA International