VIRGIN Australia has brought back some of its old routes as it emerges from voluntary administration, although Mildura flights haven’t yet returned.
The airline this week was advertising a route map of 28 Australian destinations after Bain Capital was named as Virgin’s new owner last week.
Virgin previously ran one daily return flight between Melbourne and Mildura.
Qantas and Rex flights to Mildura continue, albeit with reduced services due to the coronavirus crisis and its impact on travel demand.
A Bain Capital statement last week said the new owner would “strengthen Virgin’s regional services”.
The Boston-based firm’s Australian boss Mike Murphy told The Australian Financial Review last weekend a partner could deliver regional flights.
Alliance Airlines has previously operated some routes in partnership with Virgin.
“We’ve been in some early discussions with Alliance about a partnership around regional so that we make sure regional coverage is all maintained,” Mr Murphy said.
“It will be a mix of Virgin’s own planes and a combination with partners like Alliance that will make sure we retain original coverage.”
Virgin Australia was contacted for comment.
Bain has taken financial control of the airline, but a creditors’ meeting on August 22 was the next step in the administration process.
Virgin went into voluntary administration on April 21.
