By James Wilkinson

Virgin Blue Group’s expansion into Thailand is continuing to gain momentum at a rapid pace, with Pacific Blue announcing direct, twice-weekly Perth-Phuket flights from November 14 – the third route launched to the South-East Asian nation in less than a week.

Pacific Blue has announced Perth-Phuket flights

Pacific Blue’s sister airline V Australia announced flights to Phuket from Brisbane and Melbourne on Monday (Aug 17), along with direct services from Melbourne to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Phuket, a popular conference and incentive market destination ex-Australia, is Pacific Blue’s second international route from Perth and follows the successful launch of services to Bali late last year.

“We are excited to be bringing Phuket, Thailand within easier reach for people in West Australia and as the only carrier operating non-stop return flights (in both directions) between Perth and Phuket, we are pleased to be making one of Thailand’s holiday hot spots a convenient destination and affordable option for West Australian travellers,” said Virgin Blue CEO, Brett Godfrey.

“While West Australians are used to having Bali in their backyard, Phuket has been out of reach, not just because of no direct service (in both directions) but price also.

“By this announcement, all that has now changed and this new destination for WA provides a whole different cultural and culinary holiday experience,” Godfrey said.

To celebrate the launch of the new services, tickets are currently on-sale from $299 one-way on the net.