Virgin Australia launches new route to Japan from Cairns

As one of the most popular destinations for Australians, it’s no surprise one airline has decided to launch a brand new route.

As one of the most popular destinations for Australians, it’s no surprise one airline has decided to launch a brand new route – but the starting terminal has made it quite the gamechanger.

Virgin Australia announced it will be flying from Cairns and Tokyo in June 2023, meaning there will officially be a route between Australia’s ‘tropical capital’ and Tokyo’s Haneda airport.

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Virgin Australia have launched a new flight from Cairns to Tokyo. Picture: Nicholas Eagar/NCA NewsWire

The new flight, according to the airline’s CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, is yet another addition to Virgin Australia’s growing network of short haul international routes.

“Virgin Australia is a proud Queensland company and we’re delighted to add over 2000 seats between these iconic destinations every week which means more value and choice for Australians wanting to travel to Japan,” Ms Hrdlicka said in a statement.

“Importantly, it also means welcoming more Japanese tourists into the Sunshine State to enjoy our unrivalled natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands.”

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the new route joins a growing list of the airline’s short-haul international network. Picture: Sarah Marshall/NCA NewsWire

The announcement follows the airlines recent resumption into Queenstown, after more than a year and half off from the popular trans-Tasman route.

The route was cancelled at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, when the airline ditched all of their international flights.

Last month the airline marked the first flights back across the Tasman, with passengers now able to travel from Sydney and Brisbane to Queenstown daily.

Flights from Melbourne into the picturesque city on the South Island commenced in November as well, with services four times a week but increasing to daily between December 12 and January 29.

To celebrate the launch of the new route to Japan, the airline has listed a ‘Hello Tokyo’ sale lists Cairns-Tokyo return fares from July 18 starting at $699 for an Economy Lite fare (with only carry-on bags). And for Business class, you’re looking at a ticket price around $2000.

The sale however, will last only until December 20 or until sold out.