Virgin Australia, Alliance Airlines drop Bundaberg flights
Queensland bids farewell to competition on the Brisbane-Bundaberg route, set to become a QantasLink monopoly from late September.
By Chris C., September 16 2020
Virgin Australia will no longer serve Bundaberg from late September, with both its Brisbane-Bundaberg and Bundaberg-Gladstone routes being axed as part of the airline's restructure.
Operated by Alliance Airlines on behalf of Virgin Australia, the last Bundaberg flights will run on Sunday September 27 – after which, Brisbane-Bundaberg will become a QantasLink monopoly, while Bundaberg and Gladstone will no longer be linked by air.
“The decision to suspend services to Bundaberg was not taken lightly,” said Alliance Airlines CEO Lee Schofield.
"However, ongoing significantly reduced demand, exacerbated by the border closures which have essentially stopped all connecting traffic through Brisbane, have made this route unviable in the current environment.”
Executive Traveller staff recently travelled the Brisbane-Bundaberg-Gladstone-Brisbane triangle route, and observed just 25 passengers boarding the 80-seat aircraft from Brisbane, and a similar number boarding in Bundaberg – although the final Gladstone-Brisbane leg was noticeably busier.
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Of course, Bundaberg can also be reached from Brisbane by a four-hour drive, with Bundaberg and Gladstone even closer together, approximately 160km apart, making road trips a popular option for locals.
Bundaberg’s loss is Gladstone’s gain, with Alliance Airlines boosting Brisbane-Gladstone-Brisbane flights to 12 times a week from late September, all of which will run non-stop.
QantasLink, which had most recently been serving Bundaberg four times each week, will return to six flights per week after Alliance Airlines exits. Its Brisbane-Bundaberg-Brisbane flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The move follows Virgin Australia’s exit from a host of other regional routes, including flights to Albury, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Cloncurry, Hervey Bay, Mildura and Tamworth, joined by the withdrawal of Virgin Australia flights to Tonga, even after international travel restrictions ease.
Virgin Australia has also axed its Sydney-Port Macquarie flights, although Alliance Airlines will continue to operate Brisbane-Port Macquarie services on behalf of Virgin, set to resume once Queensland’s border to New South Wales reopens.
Also read: Virgin Australia scraps regional routes across NSW, VIC, QLD, NT
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 48
I wonder if the Premier (non-elect) of QLD , Dr Jeannette Young, will mark this down as a consequence of the her over the top border closures ?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 204
Because all the Sydneysiders love holidaying in Costa Del Bundaberg?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 48
Well you might have an elderly parents a or relatives in Gin Gin, not everyone lives on the Sunshine Coast, not just about people taking holidays but people moving around to go to funerals, weddings and just see loved ones.....
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Bundaberg is also popular with tourists, being the home of Bundaberg Rum (you can tour the distillery) and other 'Bundaberg' brands, beautiful beaches at Bargara, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, and also a real 'foodie' spot given the copious volume of produce sourced from the local area.
On the same note, Bundaberg is also popular with business travellers in the farming and agriculture industries, and flights to Brisbane were also the most common path for Bundaberg locals to connect across Australia and around the world - when borders were open, of course.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 387
Spot on Chris. Bargara is a great coastal town and a place to spend time relaxing on the beach/by the pool, not to mention an alternative gateway to the Barrier Reef and islands such as Lady Elliott.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
06 Apr 2012
Total posts 124
The Tilt Train service is also not a bad way to travel between Bundaberg and Brisbane. It even has "business class" ;)
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1024
Spoken like a true Bundabergian, and I hope everyone takes note of the Qld Premier actions, myself being one of those people who have and would have taken Sydney-Brisbane-Bundaberg flights with Alliance and VA.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 387
If you are referring to me, I am not from, nor do I live in Bundaberg. Just someone that has been to the region for a holiday on a number of occasions.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 775
Bundaberg now sounding more like Cost del Bundaberg after all.
17 Jun 2020
Total posts 235
Annastacia border closures and $200 million into Virgin is clearly working out well for Queensland.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 775
'Empress Annastacia' to you, if you don't mind. :-)
02 Jun 2020
Total posts 3
Why am I not surprised? Its called restructuring...same mistakes won't be done..don't worry..Rex will do that...
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