Virgin Blue to take off to Macau, China?

eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis Virgin Blue to take off to Macau, China? According to the South China Morning Post, Australian budget carrier, Virgin Blue, may launch a new airline that will be based in Macau, the former Portuguese colony on the southern coast of China. - (9/2/2004) Virgin Blue spokesman, David Huttner, has been cited as saying that the airline is looking at an Asian venture. The report states that Virgin Blue is hoping to take advantage of the emerging Chinese air travel market. This it claims is because Southeast Asia is expected to be the latest battleground for budget airlines, with Malaysia’s AirAsia already operating services from Macau to Bangkok, and Qantas’ new Singapore-based LCC to possibly commence flying before the end of the year. Evidently, Virgin Blue would have to negotiate with Air Macau to waive its 25-year concession as the only carrier to be based there. The South China Morning Post adds that Macau Airport itself would most likely welcome a new airline, as Air Macau currently operates to only nine of the 31 Chinese destinations for which it holds flying rights.