Virgin scores new daily Brisbane to Tokyo route

Brisbane is set to get a new direct route from Brisbane to Tokyo’s closest airport, with Virgin securing preliminary approval to operate daily flights.

VIRGIN has been granted preliminary approval to open up a lucrative direct route from Brisbane to Tokyo’s closest airport.

Air route regulator the International Air Services Commission on Monday announced it had made a draft decision granting one of two sought-after routes into Haneda, Japan to Virgin to operate daily flights to Brisbane.

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Haneda is less than 25km from the Tokyo central business district, making it an attractive gateway for airlines wanting to capture more lucrative business travellers.

Virgin plans to offer daily flights using an Airbus 330-200 aircraft with 20 seats in business class and 255 seats in economy class.

“We’re pleased that the International Air Services Commission has issued a draft determination, proposing to award Virgin Australia with one of the daily frequencies to Haneda, Japan,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

“Virgin Australia plans to use this allocation to operate a daily service between Brisbane and Haneda from March 29, 2020 and bring strong competition and choice to the market.”

Qantas has two days to challenge the decision. The Flying Kangaroo had wanted both routes for itself, to connect Haneda with extra flights to Sydney and Melbourne.

In its submission, Brisbane Airport said “the importance of Queensland as a drawcard for Japan tourism visitation and trade cannot be overstated”.

The two slots are among 50 the Japanese Government released to foreign carriers in the lead up next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

The final decision is expected by the end of the month.