Virgin fly into the blue

Virgin Blue, the Australian wing of the famous Branson airline, has further expanded its reach across the antipodean continent and today launches a brand new direct flight service out of Sydney to Queensland.

The service, which will run four direct flights a week between Sydney and the city of Mackay on the Queensland coast, will initially compliment Virgin Blue's current flights between Brisbane and Mackay.

Virgin Blue chief executive, Brett Godfrey said: "We reviewed feedback from the Mackay community and the desire for direct Mackay-Sydney flights came through loud and clear.

"A direct Sydney service was top of the Mackay community's 'wish list', and as we have a brand new aircraft joining the fleet in May, and after comprehensive consideration of a range of route options across Australia, we have committed to boosting services to regional Queensland."

The state premier, Peter Beattie, emphasised the industry and business benefits the new Sydney connection will bring to the region, as well as the tourism potential and the leisure opportunities it will offer the local community.

Mackay, which is 800 kilometres north of Brisbane, is famous for its port and with many prized natural beauty spots on its doorstep, serves as a gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

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