Hot Cross Bums

1000 SEATS UP FOR GRABS IN VIRGIN BLUE’S $19* “HOT CROSS BUMS ON SEATS SALE” INTERNET ONLY FOR 3 HOURS TONIGHT!

Cairns – Townsville $19*

Canberra – Townsville $19*

Gold Coast – Townsville $19*

Rockhampton-Townsville $19*

Thursday 26 March 2009: Virgin Blue will launch a super sale for 3 hours only with 1000 seats up for grabs for $19* one-way (taxes included) to go on sale from 7-10 pm Queensland time tonight, or until sold out.

The super special which Virgin Blue says buys a seat on a plane for less than some people spend on Easter Eggs, kicks off the airline’s new daily return flights starting soon between Canberra, Gold Coast, Cairns, Rockhampton and Townsville. The $19 fares are also available from Townsville to Canberra, Gold Coast, Cairns, and Rockhampton until sold out.

Virgin Blue will operate its 78 seat executive-style EMBRAER E170 E-Jets on the new non-stop flights which commence from Monday 6 April, 2009.

Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said Virgin Blue considered carefully whether to dedicate capacity to the new markets and had made a decision to trial E-Jets on the routes in response to local submissions from businesses and communities and in an effort to help boost regional tourism in Far North Queensland.

“As a Queensland based airline we understand that access is important for regional tourism to prosper and we are prepared to make the first move to helping generate more visitors north,” he said.

“Through new air access and the stimulus of consistently affordable fares we hope to encourage more domestic tourists to get out and visit the cities of far North Queensland,” he said.

“As many tourism regions around Australia know, we do our best to support those communities who work hard and believe in their own potential.

“Especially in the current environment, we are constantly reviewing utilization of our fleet and there may be flexible opportunities to lend support and to continue to do so if such an investment remains commercially viable,” he said.

Virgin Blue team members will be visiting Townsville on April 6 launch day to take part in a corporate breakfast with Townsville Enterprise Limited as well as co-host "Virgin Blue Goes Troppo For Townsville" festivities at the airport to celebrate the beginning of the four new direct services.

Virgin Blue’s $19* “Hot Cross Bums on Seats Sale” fares are available on a wide range of flights for travel from 6 April to 31 May, 2009. The seats go on sale on the internet only from 7pm until 10pm Queensland time tonight or until sold out. To book visit www.virginblue.com.au.

* All fares are one way for flights booked on the internet or $15 more when booked by phone. Fares are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or peak times Fares are on sale from 7-10 pm AEST 26 March 2009, or until sold out and are for travel from 6 April to 31 May, 2009. For Virgin Blue bookings log on to www.virginblue.com.au or phone our award winning Guest Contact Centre on 13 6789 or contact a travel agent. Fare price is based on GO! Fare and is non-refundable. Checked baggage charges apply to all Blue Saver and GO! Fares. Pre-pay $8 online for up to 23kgs of checked baggage per person one way flight, or pay $20 at the airport for the same allowance.