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New Routes

New Routes: V Australia One Step Closer to Flight

January 3, 2008 at 3:35 PM | 0 Comments

We've been so caught up following the new routes of Virgin America and Skybus that we haven't spent too much time looking abroad. But the latest news from down under is terrific for anyone who's ever gone bankrupt buying a transpacific plane ticket. Officials from the US and Australia will get together February 12-14 to talk about a potential open skies agreement like the one that's sparked competition over the Atlantic.

And who would be in prime position to benefit from such an agreement? Who else but Richard Branson, who's Virgin Blue spin-off, V Australia, hopes to break into the stagnant Australia-West Coast market. Only two players currently operate those flights, United and Qantas.

Also interested is Singapore Airlines, which would probably run flights through its hub at Changi Airport. In the past, it's been kept off the route by the Australians. But with a pro-competition government newly in charge, perhaps Singapore and others will be allowed to join in the fun. That'd be terrific for consumers and Australian tourism but terrible for Ralph Fiennes' favorite airline, Qantas.

Related Stories:
· Australia, US to Start Open Skies Talks [Reuters]
· Ralph Fiennes Loves Qantas [Jaunted]
· Qantas coverage [Jaunted]