Virgin Australia to cut capacity by 25% as Covid-19 cases rise

[SYDNEY] Virgin Australia said on Monday (Jan 10) it would reduce capacity across its network by around 25 per cent for the rest of January and for February due to reduced travel demand and staff being required to isolate as Covid-19 case numbers rise in Australia.

The airline, which competes against Qantas Airways, said it would cut some flight frequencies and suspend 10 routes temporarily.

Australia on Monday surpassed 1 million Covid-19 cases, with more than half of them recorded in the past week, as the Omicron variant ripped through most of the country driving up hospitalisation numbers and putting a strain on supply chains.

Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka said the surge in Covid-19 cases had affected customer confidence.

"Virgin Australia remains focused on growing its network and consumer reach and will resume services as soon travel demand improves," she said in a statement.

The airline said in November it would add seven more Boeing 737 NG planes to its fleet, nearly restoring it to pre-pandemic levels, to help meet a goal of obtaining a one-third share of Australia's domestic travel market.

REUTERS