Virgin Australia to Cease Cairns-Tokyo Flights Due to Slow Recovery Post-COVID

Virgin Australia has announced that it will cease operating its once-daily flight between Cairns and Tokyo, Haneda, from 24 February 2025. The decision is based on factors including the slow recovery of inbound visitors from Japan, which is up to 35 percent below pre-COVID levels.

The airline first launched its Cairns-Tokyo, Haneda services in June 2023. However, a below-expected recovery of visitors travelling from Japan to Australia due to sustained weakness in the Japanese Yen has impacted demand for the services, rendering the route commercially unsustainable.

Impacted Customers Offered a Refund

Approximately 2,000 customers travelling with Virgin Australia to Tokyo and Haneda after 24 February 2025 will be impacted. Customers who booked travel after 24 February via virginaustralia.com will be contacted by email within the next 24 hours to arrange a refund of their booking.

Customers who booked through a travel agency or third-party booking website are encouraged to contact them to request a refund and to make alternative travel arrangements. Impacted customers should refer to the Virgin Australia Guest Compensation Policy for further information on their options.

Despite the changes, Virgin Australia remains committed to providing guests with great service and value onboard its remaining Cairns-Haneda services until 24 February 2025.

Insight from Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer Alistair Hartley apologised to impacted customers. “Our international network continues to be a central part of our strategy. Withdrawing from Cairns-Tokyo services was a tough decision, but unfortunately, the recovery of inbound visitors from Japan is significantly below forecast, and therefore, operating our own service to Tokyo is no longer commercially viable,” said Mr Hartley.

He added, “We have a strong partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA), which will allow us to continue to support inbound tourism from Japan to Australia and popular tourist destinations like Far North Queensland. Equally, Virgin Australia customers and Velocity Frequent Flyer members will be able to book seamless flights with ANA from just about anywhere in Australia to Japan directly on our website.”

Virgin Australia to Continue Offering Japan Flights through ANA

While Virgin Australia will cease operating its daily flight between Cairns and Tokyo from 24 February 2025, the airline will continue to offer up to 17 flights per week between Australia and Japan through All Nippon Airways (ANA), which can be booked directly on the Virgin Australia website.

The partnership will also continue to play an important role in seamlessly connecting Japanese tourists to popular Australian destinations on the Virgin Australia domestic network, including to Far North Queensland. Virgin Australia operates up to 13 flights from major Australian cities into Cairns daily.

Improved Utilisation of Virgin Australia Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft

Virgin Australia will re-deploy its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which currently operates Cairns-Tokyo services, to its existing domestic schedule. Virgin Australia has seven fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with one additional aircraft scheduled to enter the airline’s fleet next month.

This decision marks a significant shift in Virgin Australia’s strategy, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to sustainable aviation and its adaptability to changing market conditions.