Virgin Australia announces changes to flights between Tokyo and Cairns

The decision comes after a drop in visitors to Australia following the pandemic.

About 2000 customers are set to be impacted in Virgin Australia’s shock decision to cancel a daily flight route.

The airline announced on Monday it will no longer run daily flights between Cairns and Tokyo from 24 February 2025.

Virgin Australia had only introduced the Cairns-Tokyo services in June last year.

Customers who booked their holidays for after that date will be contacted by email within the next 24 hours to arrange a refund.

Those who booked through a travel agency or third-party booking website are urged to contact those places to request a refund and make alternative travel arrangements.

Virgin Australia chief transformation and strategy officer Alistair Hartley apologised to impacted customers, claiming the service is “no longer commercially viable” following the pandemic.

“Withdrawing from Cairns-Tokyo services was a tough decision, but unfortunately the recovery of inbound visitors from Japan is significantly below forecast and therefore operating our own service to Tokyo is no longer commercially viable,” he said.

“We know this is disappointing news and we are sorry for the impact this decision will have on those guests booked to travel with us from 24 February 2025.”

About 2000 customers are set to be impacted in Virgin Australia’s shock decision to cancel a daily flight route. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The decision comes after a drop in visitors from Japan to Australia — which is up to 35 per cent below pre-Covid levels — as well as a sustained weakness in the Japanese Yen.

For those committed to jetting over to Japan, Virgin will continue their partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA), offering up to 17 flights per week between Australia and Japan.

“We have a strong partnership with ANA which will allow us to continue to support inbound tourism from Japan to Australia and through to popular tourist destinations like Far North Queensland,” Mr Hartley said.

“Equally, Virgin Australia customers and Velocity Frequent Flyer members will be able to book seamless flights with ANA from just about anywhere in Australia to Japan directly on our website. We will also continue to provide Velocity Points earn, Rewards Seats and loyalty benefits on eligible ANA flights.

“I want to acknowledge and thank the Queensland Government for its partnership in launching our Tokyo services and its ongoing support for Virgin Australia as one of the largest carriers of tourists to the Sunshine State.”

Originally published as Virgin Australia announces changes to flights between Tokyo and Cairns