Virgin Blue's international airline PacificBlue^ will launch direct flights to Tonga from both Australia and New Zealand from 31 October 2005.
The airline will initially offer two direct flights a week from Sydney to Tonga, as well as three direct flights between Auckland and Tonga.
It will be the first time Tonga will be serviced by a low cost carrier, providing an affordable alternative to the existing traditional airlines currently servicing the country.
Subject to Government approval, the new services to Tonga will be the fourth South Pacific destination serviced by PacificBlue following the launch of services from Australia to Vanuatu and Fiji last year.
The Auckland to Tonga service will initially depart three days a week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with a special launch fare of $NZ 149* one way on the net (plus taxes and charges) . The sale fare is available now until 25 September 2005 for travel 31 October 2005 to 26 March 2006 (Blackout period 11 Dec05 - 22 Jan06 applies). Everyday low fares will start from NZ$179* one way on the net (plus taxes and charges).
The direct flights between Sydney to Tonga will operate Monday and Thursday with PacificBlue offering a "Tonga Take-off" launch fare offer of AU$299* (all inclusive) on the internet, with everyday low fares starting from AU$349* (all inclusive) one way on the net.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, "Including Tonga in our route network from both Australia and New Zealand is part of our gradual expansion in the South Pacific."
"We look forward to helping Tonga and the South Pacific region attract greater visitor numbers."
PacificBlue's low fares have already played a key role in tourism growth, boosting the number of people travelling between Fiji and Brisbane by a huge 56%. It's a similar story in Vanuatu with a 36% increase in the people travelling between Brisbane and Port Vila since PacificBlue began services.
Auckland - Tonga Schedule
Auckland - Tonga (effective - 31 October 2005)
Auckland - Tonga (effective - 31 October 2005)
Tonga - Auckland (effective - 31 October 2005)
Tonga - Auckland (effective - 31 October 2005)
Sydney - Tonga Schedule
Sydney - Tonga (effective - 31 October 2005)
Sydney - Tonga (effective - 31 October 2005)
Tonga - Sydney (effective - 31 October 2005)
Tonga - Sydney (effective - 31 October 2005)
FARE INFORMATION FOR THE NEW ZEALAND ORIGINATING MARKET
As per industry practice all fares in New Zealand are shown in NZ$ and exclude all taxes and charges.
AUCKLAND TO TONGA
Promotional fare: $149* (plus taxes and charges from $60.69)
Fair fare (lead in price): $179* (plus taxes and charges from $60.69)
FARE INFORMATION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN ORIGINATING MARKET
As per industry practice all fares in Australia are shown in AU$ and include all taxes and charges
SYDNEY-TONGA
Promotional fare: $299* (including taxes and charges)
Fair fare (lead in price): $349* (including taxes and charges)
* Fares are one-way on the net, or $15 more by phone. A credit card surcharge of an additional $2 per person per one way flight is applicable. Taxes and charges are correct as at 13 September 2005 and are subject to change.
^International flights to New Zealand operated by PacificBlue Airlines (N.Z.) Ltd. International flights to Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and the Cook Islands offered by PacificBlue Airlines (Aust) Pty. Ltd. and operated by PacificBlue Airlines (N.Z.) Ltd
The airline will initially offer two direct flights a week from Sydney to Tonga, as well as three direct flights between Auckland and Tonga.
It will be the first time Tonga will be serviced by a low cost carrier, providing an affordable alternative to the existing traditional airlines currently servicing the country.
Subject to Government approval, the new services to Tonga will be the fourth South Pacific destination serviced by PacificBlue following the launch of services from Australia to Vanuatu and Fiji last year.
The Auckland to Tonga service will initially depart three days a week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with a special launch fare of $NZ 149* one way on the net (plus taxes and charges) . The sale fare is available now until 25 September 2005 for travel 31 October 2005 to 26 March 2006 (Blackout period 11 Dec05 - 22 Jan06 applies). Everyday low fares will start from NZ$179* one way on the net (plus taxes and charges).
The direct flights between Sydney to Tonga will operate Monday and Thursday with PacificBlue offering a "Tonga Take-off" launch fare offer of AU$299* (all inclusive) on the internet, with everyday low fares starting from AU$349* (all inclusive) one way on the net.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, "Including Tonga in our route network from both Australia and New Zealand is part of our gradual expansion in the South Pacific."
"We look forward to helping Tonga and the South Pacific region attract greater visitor numbers."
PacificBlue's low fares have already played a key role in tourism growth, boosting the number of people travelling between Fiji and Brisbane by a huge 56%. It's a similar story in Vanuatu with a 36% increase in the people travelling between Brisbane and Port Vila since PacificBlue began services.
Auckland - Tonga Schedule
Auckland - Tonga (effective - 31 October 2005)
| Flight No. | Dep | Arr | MON | TUE | WED | THUR | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| DJ 179 | 07:00am | 09:50am | YES | ||||||
| DJ 179 | 07:30am | 10:20am | YES | ||||||
| DJ 179 | 16:30 | 19:20 | YES |
Tonga - Auckland (effective - 31 October 2005)
| Flight No. | Dep | Arr | MON | TUE | WED | THUR | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| DJ 178 | 22:05 | 01:10am | YES | ||||||
| DJ 178 | 22:35 | 01:40am | YES | ||||||
| DJ 178 | 20:05 | 23:10 | YES |
Sydney - Tonga Schedule
Sydney - Tonga (effective - 31 October 2005)
| Flight No. | Dep | Arr | MON | TUE | WED | THUR | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| DJ 183 | 14:50 | 21:20 | YES | ||||||
| DJ 183 | 15:20 | 21:50 | YES |
Tonga - Sydney (effective - 31 October 2005)
| Flight No. | Dep | Arr | MON | TUE | WED | THUR | FRI | SAT | SUN |
| DJ 182 | 10:35am | 13:50 | YES | ||||||
| DJ 182 | 11:05am | 14:20 | YES |
FARE INFORMATION FOR THE NEW ZEALAND ORIGINATING MARKET
As per industry practice all fares in New Zealand are shown in NZ$ and exclude all taxes and charges.
AUCKLAND TO TONGA
Promotional fare: $149* (plus taxes and charges from $60.69)
Fair fare (lead in price): $179* (plus taxes and charges from $60.69)
FARE INFORMATION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN ORIGINATING MARKET
As per industry practice all fares in Australia are shown in AU$ and include all taxes and charges
SYDNEY-TONGA
Promotional fare: $299* (including taxes and charges)
Fair fare (lead in price): $349* (including taxes and charges)
* Fares are one-way on the net, or $15 more by phone. A credit card surcharge of an additional $2 per person per one way flight is applicable. Taxes and charges are correct as at 13 September 2005 and are subject to change.
^International flights to New Zealand operated by PacificBlue Airlines (N.Z.) Ltd. International flights to Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and the Cook Islands offered by PacificBlue Airlines (Aust) Pty. Ltd. and operated by PacificBlue Airlines (N.Z.) Ltd