Community
22 July, 2024
Virgin to axe direct Cairns-Tokyo flights
VIRGIN Australia is axing its once daily flight between Cairns and Tokyo, Haneda, from early next year due to the slow recovery of inbound visitors from Japan, which is up to 35 per cent below pre-COVID levels.
The airline first launched its Cairns-Tokyo, Haneda services in June 2023.
However, a below forecast recovery of visitors travelling from Japan to Australia due to sustained weakness in the Japanese yen, has impacted demand for the services, rendering the route commercially unsustainable.
Virgin Australia chief transformation and strategy officer Alistair Hartley said it was a tough decision.
“Our international network continues to be a central part of our strategy. Withdrawing from Cairns-Tokyo services was a tough decision, but unfortunately the recovery of inbound visitors from Japan is significantly below forecast and therefore operating our own service to Tokyo is no longer commercially viable,” he said.
“We know this is disappointing news and we are sorry for the impact this decision will have on those guests booked to travel with us from February 24, 2025.
“We have a strong partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA) which will allow us to continue to support inbound tourism from Japan to Australia and through to popular tourist destinations like Far North Queensland.
“Equally, Virgin Australia customers and Velocity Frequent Flyer members will be able to book seamless flights with ANA from just about anywhere in Australia to Japan directly on our website.
“We will also continue to provide Velocity Points earn, Rewards Seats and loyalty benefits on eligible ANA flights.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the Queensland Government for its partnership in launching our Tokyo services and its ongoing support for Virgin Australia as one of the largest carriers of tourists to the Sunshine State,” he said.
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said Virgin Australia’s service to Tokyo Haneda had been a popular and well-received route for locals across Tropical North Queensland.
“This is evidenced by strong outbound passenger numbers visiting Japan since the commencement of flights more than 12 months ago,” he said.
“Japan has been a slow market to recover post-COVID and this has been exacerbated by the current economic climate, including a weak yen.
“It is disappointing that these market conditions have affected the viability of Virgin Australia’s service between Cairns and Tokyo Haneda from February 2025.
“It is encouraging the service remains scheduled to operate in 2024. Japan is a key market for our region, and we will continue to work closely with our airline partners and industry to support and bolster inbound travel.”
