VIRGIN BLUE TO CONTINUE DIRECT TOWNSVILLE CANBERRA SERVICES

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The Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Blue Mr John Borghetti has advised Townsville based Senator Ian Macdonald that as a result of his representations, he has decided to continue the direct Virgin Blue service between Townsville and Canberra.

“As a regular user of the direct service I was dismayed to read in the Townsville Bulletin on 1 September that  Virgin were selling their Embraer E170 aircraft which is currently used on the  Townsville Canberra route. “ Senator Macdonald said.

“Mr Borghetti advised me that the decision had been made to cease the service but after representations were received Mr Borghetti rang me to say he had ordered a stop to the plans to discontinue the service”

“I had pointed out that with the Army, Air Force, Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Townsville there was a clear need for the direct service which can cut hours off this journey.

“I also pointed out that the last three months were not a good time to judge passenger numbers as with the calling of the election a lot of traffic to Canberra had ceased.

“I am delighted that Mr  Borghetti has now confirmed to me in two telephone calls, that he will ensure the route continues although it will be with a different aircraft, perhaps the lager Embraer E190 or the Boeing  737.

“It now behoves all of us in North Queensland, particularly Federal Government Agencies, to use the direct flight to Canberra to justify Virgin Blue’s faith in continuing the direct route,” Senator Macdonald said.

END

9 September 2010

Media contact Gordon Terry      (07) 4771 3066   or   0427 960 255                                           

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