Queensland-based airline Virgin Australia and Townsville Airport have inked a new 10-year agreement, continuing a 21-year partnership and cementing the airline’s presence in North Queensland for the long term.    

The agreement guides the commercial partnership and follows Virgin Australia’s resumption of direct Townsville-Sydney and Townsville-Melbourne services.  

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the strong partnership with Townsville Airport enables the airline to continue investing in growth in the region, which clearly benefits the community.  

“North Queensland is an important part of Virgin Australia’s network and this 10-year agreement signifies our ongoing commitment to provide more direct services into the region,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

“We are a proudly Queensland-based company with a continued focus on growing in the region to provide incredible value and choice to support the community.”

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the agreement was a direct result of the strong engagement between the airline and airport, working together to deliver critical connections for the Townsville community.

“Virgin Australia and Townsville Airport have been long-term partners since 2001, when Virgin commenced services on the Brisbane to Townsville route,” Ms Evans said.  

“Prior to COVID-19 this critical link, connecting South-East Queensland and Townsville, moved almost half a million passengers a year. Those numbers are continuing to rebuild as the tourism industry recovers, and this new ten-year partnership shows the confidence Virgin Australia has in this region.”

Virgin Australia operated 300 flights in and out of Townsville Airport in October 2022, over 30 per cent more than the same time last year. Virgin Australia also services direct connections between North Queensland and Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  

The airline supports about 35 jobs in Townsville though both direct and indirect employment via its ground handler and other third-party suppliers.

Brisbane-Townsville was the ninth busiest route in the country for the year ended August 2022, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE). More than 220,000 people have flown with Virgin Australia between the two destinations this year.

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