[2021] IASC R06

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On 28 October 2019, the International Air Services Commission (the Commission) issued 
Determination [2019] IASC 119 (the Determination) allocating one frequency per day in each 
direction to Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd (Virgin Australia) on the Japan 
route to service Tokyo-Haneda Airport. The Determination includes several conditions 
including the requirement for the capacity to be utilised from no later than 29 March 2020 or 
from such other date approved by the Commission. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacts, including travel restrictions put in place by the 
Australian Government in March 2020, Virgin Australia was not able to commence the new 
services to and from Tokyo-Haneda as originally planned. In light of this, upon the request 
of Virgin Australia, the Commission issued Resolutions [2020] IASC R02 (17 April 2020); 
[2020] IASC R04 (19 June 2020); [2020] IASC R09 (7 December 2020), and [2021] IASC 
R03 (06 April 2021) extending the date of commencement of use of the capacity by Virgin 
Australia. 

On 29 October 2021, Virgin Australia wrote to the Commission seeking a further extension 
of the date for utilisation of the capacity until the end of the Northern Summer 2022 
scheduling season. 

Virgin Australia indicated in its application that it would resume short and long-haul 
international services in accordance with government and health advice, as well as the return 
of consumer demand. 

Virgin Australia had indicated previously its strong desire to ‘retain the ability to utilise the 
capacity to ensure Australians have a choice and that Australian airlines are responsive to the 
needs of consumers’. 

The Commission recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions 
imposed by various countries has seriously disrupted the international operations of airlines 
and global competition worldwide. 

In light of these extraordinary circumstances, the Commission issues Resolution [2021] IASC 
R06 to provide that the capacity issued under Determination [2019] IASC 119 is to be 
utilised from no later than 30 October 2022, or such other date approved by the Commission. 

The Commission will continue to monitor the airline’s ability to fully utilise the capacity on 
the route. 

Dated: 4 November 2021 

Genevieve Butler - Chairperson

Jane McKeon - Commissioner