Virgin Blue has announced it will launch direct services between Adelaide and the Gold Coast following the continuing surge of demand on the airlines connecting services between the two cities as well as to relieve demand on its increasingly popular Adelaide - Brisbane flights.

The direct service, starting 1 July 2002, will further assist the recovery of tourism to the beautiful beaches and famous attractions stretching from Surfer’s Paradise to Byron Bay.

Increased low fare services to Adelaide will also enhance the recent growth in the South Australia bound tourism market with its diverse cultural offerings, natural wonders and world-class wineries.

While this new direct service has added further convenience and more options for travellers, Virgin Blue will continue to offer one way fares from $119 (up to $140.46 including all taxes, levies and charges)* for bookings made up to and including 16 June 2002.

Virgin Blue CEO, Brett Godfrey said, Virgin Blue pioneered low fare services on the Adelaide - Brisbane route eighteen months ago resulting in a doubling of business and leisure traffic between Southeast Queensland and South Australia and a more than halving of ticket prices.

Brett Godfrey continued, This growth reflects the previously unserviced demand and is a continuation of our hub-busting strategy of linking centres with direct flights on routes that had been ignored before low-fare, top quality service was offered within Australia.

Virgin Blue currently operates two daily Adelaide Brisbane direct flights and two daily connections between Adelaide and the Gold Coast via Sydney and Melbourne.

Guests who previously booked on Adelaide - Gold Coast connecting flights will have the option to change their current booking to the new non-stop flight* free of charge until Sunday 16 June providing travel is for the same day of initial departure.

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