Virgin rules out return of Port Hedland to Bali direct flights

Virgin Australia still has no immediate plans to bring back direct flights from Port Hedland to Bali despite rumours online that the service had returned. There had been speculation online that the flight route had returned after a flight option appeared on the Virgin website this month. However, the service is not a direct flight: it is a two-stop route via Perth and Brisbane with a transit time of 20 hours, starting on November 17. As of August 19 the two-stop service to Bali has a return cost of $1602. A Virgin Australia spokesperson ruled out the return of the direct route. “We apologise for any inconvenience and will continue to review our forward schedule and provide services in line with demand,” the spokesperson said. Virgin confirmed it would revisit the service if and when demand recovered. All guests who have booked directly via Virgin Australia have been contacted and offered a refund. The North West Telegraph revealed in March that direct flights were scheduled to depart from Port Hedland from 5.45pm on Saturday, November 5. The popular once-a-week flight was put on hold for almost two years due to international border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Virgin announced in June it had scrapped the route because demand was “subdued”. Despite this, an online petition launched in the hopes of getting the flight carrier to bring back the route has now been signed by 2750 people. Petition creator Suriya Mills said residents across the North West would drive to Port Hedland because of the Bali route. “Virgin believe there is no demand for this service. Please stand with us and show them there is a demand for this service by signing our petition,” she said.