Pilot association VIPA, representing pilots from the Virgin Australia group, has today been notified of the Virgin Australia Groups decision to cease flights on the Sydney to Hong Kong route, effective from 2 March 2020.
VIPA says this decision has the potential to impact some 140 pilots of the airline's A330-200 fleet, following the announcement from Virgin Australia in November last year that it would end direct flights from Melbourne to Hong Kong.
"We're very concerned about what Virgin Australia's decision will mean for its highly skilled A330 pilots, and the potential impact on the broader pilot group," VIPA President John Lyons said today.
With continuing political unrest in Hong Kong and the coronavirus concerns impacting passenger numbers, VIPA says while it understands Virgin Australia's need to maintain profitability on these routes, pilots need to know what the company's plans are for its A330-200 fleet and its pilots in the short to medium term.
"We're in close discussions with senior management at Virgin Australia. We are working with them to ensure our members' jobs are protected. We are also actively working with our pilot representatives on ways to mitigate any negative effect on the pilot group stemming from this decision," said VIPA President John Lyons.
