Virgin Australia plans to soon play a bigger role in international travel, says chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka, who thinks the rapid recovery in demand is “not a short-term sugar hit” but a sustainable long-term market shift.

Ms Hrdlicka, speaking at a Flight Centre’s Illuminate event in Sydney on Thursday, said the Bain Capital-owned carrier would look to expand its international flight offering as it refreshes the fleet with newer, longer-range aircraft.