Japan will join Virgin Australia’s cargo network with daily services between Brisbane and Tokyo Haneda from March.

Daily flights will be launched on 29 March 2020, with cargo space being marketed by Virgin Atlantic Cargo using an Airbus A330 offering 15-20 tonnes of cargo capacity.

The route, Virgin Australia’s first service to Tokyo is expected to attract strong demand from both passengers and cargo customers.

With the launch of Brisbane route, services between Hong Kong and Melbourne will be suspended from 11 February due to softening passenger demand but Virgin Australia says it will continue to monitor the route and look to re-enter the market in the future.

Dominic Kennedy, managing director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo says: “Cargo customers in Australia and Japan will be very pleased to see the launch of Tokyo-Haneda services and we expect this new direct route to open up significant opportunities for both imports and exports when it commences in March.”

Commenting on the planned suspension of Hong Kong-Melbourne services, Kennedy says: “Although this route will be stopping in February, we will continue to offer capacity on Virgin Australia’s daily Sydney-Hong Kong flights and provide a direct trucking service between Melbourne and Sydney to ensure customers retain access to the important Hong Kong cargo market.”