Virgin Australia

Sydney-Apia services commenced last Tuesday, and flights from Brisbane resumed on 23 March — with both routes flying up to two return flights a week on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The all-Samoan cabin crew and First Officer cordially greeted visitors, who were treated to a traditional song during the flight and a cultural welcome upon landing in Apia. Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley said the return was excellent news for passengers throughout the Pacific.

Sydney-Apia services commenced today and Brisbane flights will take off on 23 March – with both routes operating up to two return flights a week on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The all-Samoan cabin crew and First Officer warmly greeted guests, who were also treated to a traditional song during the flight and cultural welcome upon landing in Apia.

To celebrate the resumption of services to Samoa, Virgin Australia has launched a 72hr Samoa sale today, with return airfares from $549 (Economy Lite).

The Australian-based airline will serve the destinations from Brisbane and Sydney as it continues to rebuild its international network.

The flights are scheduled to take off in March with different frequencies depending on the destination. Travelers can book the available flights online, and passengers who are part of the carrier's frequent-flyer program, Velocity, can use points to book.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson told the Executive Traveller that the resuming service allows people to see their loved ones.

The country's second-largest carrier cut almost all flights last month following wide-spread travel bans.

It was already struggling with a long-term A$5bn (£2.55bn; $3.17bn) debt.

The airline is now seeking new buyers and investors, after failing to get a loan from Australia's government.

Virgin Australia chief executive Paul Scurrah said: "Our decision today is about securing the future of the Virgin Australia Group and emerging on the other side of the Covid-19 crisis.

"Australia needs a second airline and we are determined to keep flying."

This is despite the airline announcing a reduction in short haul flight frequency following a series of losses.

Transport Minister Papalii Niko Lee Hang said the agreement between the two countries would continue to allow the Australian-based airline to fly to Samoa.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the agreement allowed Virgin and Samoa Airways to operate international commercial flights in and out of the two countries.

Relations between Virgin and Samoa had been strained since a joint venture was hastily scrapped in 2017.

Virgin Australia will have eight flights a week to Apia from Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney starting from November 13 2017.

Under the new schedule, Virgin plans to offer five flights a week on the Apia-Auckland route, two flights a week on Apia-Sydney and a once weekly service between Apia and Brisbane with Boeing 737-800s featuring eight business and 168 economy seats.

The flights are subject to Samoan government approval.

The move comes six weeks after the Samoan government announced that Virgin Samoa (PBL, Apia Faleolo) would be ending its joint venture with Virgin Australia effective December 5, citing diminished profitability.

Virgin Australia intends to operate a 5x weekly service using B737-800 aircraft for a total capacity of 880 seats per week, starting November 13. Current capacity on the routes Apia Faleolo to Sydney Kingsford Smith and Apia to Brisbane Int'l is 704 per week.

In a statement, Virgin Australia confirmed the Virgin Samoa joint venture will not continue after the 12th of November this year.

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said in his radio address that an extension of the joint venture licence would give Virgin Blue enough time to prepare to leave.

RNZI reports there are a few reasons for ending it, including re-establishing the national carrier, Polynesian Airlines.

Tuilaepa told the media on his radio programme about complaints of increase in fares and the airline’s services.

The illegal broadcasts were made over several weeks at Melbourne's main Tullamarine and Avalon airports, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said.

Local media reported a portable radio may have been used to interfere with air traffic control.

The incidents did not pose a continuing threat to safety, the AFP said.

ABC News reported that a Virgin Australia plane changed altitude before aborting its landing after receiving instructions from a mystery person on 27 October.

Virgin Australia flight VA91 from Auckland to Apia was forced to turn around due to a minor technical issue, a Virgin Australia spokesman said.

One of the operational computer systems was showing an error message.