Coronavirus: Virgin Australia will donate unused toilet paper rolls

With 125 Virgin Australia planes grounded during the pandemic, the airline is making sure thousands of rolls of precious toilet paper on those planes don't go to waste.

Embattled airline Virgin Australia will donate thousands of rolls of toilet paper from its unused planes to charity as it dramatically winds back services due to the coronavirus crisis.

The airline, which is seeking a $1.4 billion federal government bailout in the wake of the pandemic, has suspended international flights and culled domestic services by 90 per cent, which includes grounding its subsidiary Tigerair Australia.

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With 125 aircraft not in use during the pandemic, the airline said it would “rescue” thousands of rolls of sought-after toilet paper and donate them to vulnerable members of the community through its community partners, including The Salvation Army.

Virgin Australia will donate unused toilet paper rolls to charity to help Australians in need during the coronavirus crisis. Picture: Virgin Australia

“The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to temporarily reduce our flying schedule and ground 125 aircraft, which means there is a lot of toilet paper not being used, and we want to ease some of the stress that so many Australians are currently facing," Virgin Australia's general manager of product and customer Sarah Adam said.

“Each year our passengers use enough toilet paper to stretch from Sydney to Los Angeles, so we’re thrilled that in true Virgin spirit, we’re going to help the elderly, the vulnerable, medical staff, and our charity partners, by giving them the supply of toilet paper that’s currently locked-up in our grounded aircraft and storage facilities throughout Australia.”

Kleenex will also match the donation for every roll of toilet paper that's rescued from the airline's grounded fleet.

Toilet paper has been in short supply during the pandemic. Picture: Virgin Australia

Salvation Army spokesman Major Bruce Harmer said the donations will reach older and vulnerable people in our communities across the Australia “during this unprecedented time of need”.

Last week Virgin Australia announced it would donate three tonnes of unneeded food from its planes and lounges to Australians in need through food rescue charity OzHarvest.

Virgin Australia will continue to operate limited domestic services for transportation of essential services, critical freight, government operations, and to support people who need to travel interstate for critical roles or compassionate reasons.

It expects to resume international flying on June 14.