Virgin Australia is suspending all domestic flights from tomorrow except for a single Sydney to Melbourne return service, which will run once per day, except for Saturdays.
Virgin Australia said on Thursday it would ground all domestic flights from midnight tonight, except for a single daily Sydney-Melbourne service until June 15.
The embattled airline, which is seeking $1.4 billion in government assistance to keep it flying, says domestic demand has dropped further due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
READ: Virgin Australia Launches Anti-Monopoly ‘Let’s Keep The Air Fair’ Campaign
A spokesperson for Virgin Australia said the airline would continue to monitor passenger numbers and adjust their capacity requirements as necessary.
“As a result of government restrictions, less people are travelling and we have made changes to our schedules to reflect this.”
Virgin Australia
“We continue to operate a daily service between Melbourne and Sydney, provide cargo transport locally and overseas, and operate charter flights including assisting the Government in bringing Australians home.”
Virgin Australia would not confirm any further job losses, after previously announcing 8,000 workers would be stood down.
The move follows the temporary suspension of the majority of Virgin Australia’s international services until 14 June 2020 in response to expanded government travel restrictions and increased impacts from COVID-19 on travel demand.
Virgin Australia had said previously that passengers who have booked flights on a suspended service will be contacted via email, prioritised by departure date, with alternative travel options.
Last weekend, Virgin Australia launched an anti-monopoly aimed “Let’s Keep The Air Fair” campaign in a bid to drum up support for its government support package.