Yesterday we floated the rumour that Virgin Australia was considering moving their Bowen Hills Head Office in Brisbane over the river to become housemates with Flight Centre at their 15-storey Global Mothership in South Bank. Turns out it’s now happening in September.
After reporting that Virgin Australia ‘may’ have been in talks with Flight Centre Travel Group about taking up some of the travel company’s Brisbane HQ following the freeing up of space due to COVID-19-related job cuts, it turns out the rumours were true after all.
Later yesterday, Virgin Australia released the following statement, saying they will be taking 5-floors at Southpoint to form a new head office home from September.
“The Virgin Australia Group has been looking to relocate its Queensland-based headquarters to a more fit-for-purpose facility for some time. We will end our Bowen Hills lease in September and relocate all Brisbane-based team members to the Southpoint building at Southbank where the Group will occupy five floors of the building.”
Virgin Australia currently employs more than 1000 team members at its Bowen Hills Headquarters.
With the time coming when airlines will need travel agents more than ever as a sales arm (despite what some airlines might say or think), the move appears to be a clever one with the notion that Virgin Australia and Flight Centre might work together at perhaps ‘more favourable commission’ rates than other airlines will offer the travel group post-COVID-19.
The story is a proudly Queensland one of collective innovation post-COVID-19 and also a good look for state government as part of a recovery solution.
A deal like this would seemingly also be a positive one for Virgin Australia’s new owners Bain Capital as they look to the future and a new era and business model for the airline.
Currently, Virgin Australia also has an office in Sydney which given the present situation and potential Flight Centre move in could mean closing the doors in Sydney for good to further save on the bottom line.
The Flight Centre ‘Southpoint’ building located at 275 Grey Street in South Brisbane is owned by Flight Centre Travel Group and opened in October 2016. The 15-storey centre features retail outlets, as well as a Flight Centre, operated gym and rooftop bar and restaurant for employees.
We can’t wait for the moving in party.