Several months ago, I predicted that V Australia services to Fiji, South Africa and Phuket would face the chopping block – all of which proved to be the case!

Fast forward to the present and you don’t need a crystal ball to figure out Virgin CEO John Borghetti’s plan for V Australia.  The airline will focus on key revenue earning routes, including  Los Angeles and even potentially on into Europe and elsewhere through the new partnership with Etihad.   

With A330-200 aircraft also coming on line on some of Virgin Blue’s domestic routes  including Perth and the east coast of Australia, this will give the company substantially increased capacity, with a new business class product also being offered.

What will happen to other, less profitable routes, especially some of the company’s regional leisure services is not clear yet, but I believe a number will go.

One thing is for certain, Borgehtti’s plans to move Virgin Blue and all its associated businesses and brands into serious profitability, will not be influenced by sensitivities or even national or local political factors, with profit and shareholder return being the only real measure of his success.

Industry Insider Commentary and Opinion by e-Travel Blackboard’s Special Correspondent John Alwyn-Jones.