Flights axed as Virgin Australia walks away from Coffs Harbour

The airline has announced it will withdraw its services from the region next month.

Virgin Australia will no longer offer flights from Coffs Harbour airport after April 12. Photo Trevor Veale / Coffs Coast Advocate

Virgin Australia has announced it will withdraw its services from Coffs Harbour after April 12.

A spokesman for the airline told The Advocate that the decision to axe the flights had come following a review of the airline’s network as it continues to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19.

Kris Taute said the airline had engaged Coffs Harbour Airport, Coffs Harbour City Council and Local and Federal MP’s on its decision to discontinue its services between Coffs Harbour and Sydney.

“COVID-19 impacts have required us to review our network to ensure it is both commercially viable and better aligns with the changing dynamics in the domestic aviation market,” Mr Taute said.

“While the North Coast of NSW remains important to us and we’ve been able to increase services between Sydney and Ballina Byron Bay off the back of increased travel demand, we have today made a decision to discontinue flying between Sydney and Coffs Harbour.

“Customers impacted by the decision are being offered a refund or options to obtain a travel credit with Virgin Australia.”

Virgin Australia this month increased its services between Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and Sydney to twice daily, and will launch a new service between the airport and Melbourne over the Easter holidays.

Virgin Airlines will no longer provide services at Coffs Airport after April 12.

The company, which had entered into voluntary administration in April 2020, had also axed flights to seven regional destinations including Port Macquarie in September last year as part of its post-COVID restructure.

The news of Virgin’s forthcoming withdrawal from Coffs comes as Rex Airlines today begins its services at Coffs Harbour airport.

A Rex aircraft was given a ceremonial ‘water arch’ welcome by the Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting unit when it landed at the airport last week ahead of the launch of the new services on March 28.

Rex Airlines marked the start of its new services at Coffs Harbour Airport with a special flight on the afternoon of Tuesday, 23 March 2021. The aircraft was given a 'water arch' welcome by vehicles from the Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting unit.

The airline today commenced direct flights between Coffs Harbour and Sydney, initially offering three daily return services on weekdays and 18 in total a week.

From April 1, Qantas will also begin new services in the region with direct flights to both Melbourne and Brisbane, and will also increase the aircraft size of one of its daily Sydney services.

This timing would have coincided with the expected start of the long-term lease of Coffs Harbour airport to Palisade Investment Partners, however this has been pushed back to early May.