Virgin begin 10 flights between Canberra and Sydney

In an effort to capture a larger share of the lucrative business travel market, Virgin Australia will begin a fancy new air shuttle flights between Canberra and Sydney.The new Capital Connect service will offer up to 10 return flights each day between the two cities, with customers reaping the benefits of complimentary snacks, wine and beer.Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation executive chairman Peter Harbison said the new services were part of Virgin’s move to capture some of the valuable corporate market away from Qantas.

The Canberra-Sydney route is very important in that it carries most of the highest value passengers in Australia and lounge access, frequency of service and little details like free evening drinks are key to that.He said catering for government business travel on the Canberra- Sydney route was vital.If you can’t look after business travellers, including a lot of government business, on that route, chances are you miss out on the passenger altogether.He said some business travellers previously shunned Virgin services because they didn’t provide frequent flyer programs, lounges and complimentary food and drinks.

A Virgin spokeswoman said the complimentary inflight service was part of a broader brand repositioning and would be unique to the Canberra-Sydney route.This is responding to the market and providing choice.Virgin Australia currently operates up to eight return services each day between Canberra and Sydney, but this will increase to 10 by October with the likely introduction of new ATR aircraft.By the end of the year all Virgin planes will be fitted with new business and economy class interiors.