New Virgin Australia boss says get ready for super cheap airfares

Get ready for super cheap airfares - that's the message from Virgin Australia's new boss Jayne Hrdlicka.

In a sit-down interview with A Current Affair, Virgin's CEO said the cost of flying will become increasingly competitive in 2021 as the airline rebuilds after a tumultuous year. 

"I think the Virgin future is incredibly bright," Ms Hrdlicka said.

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"We've been Australia's most loved airline since our beginning and we fully intend to hold that mantle."

She said Virgin Australia will be "sharply priced" as airlines bid to lure back travellers.

"Right now if you looked at flying Gold Coast from Sydney, you'd see $109 fares on Virgin which includes a bag, includes frequent flyer points," Ms Hrdlicka said.

By early next year, some fares are expected to dip to double digits.

"I'd expect Sydney to Melbourne to be super competitive. I think if you look into March you're seeing sub $100 fares," she said. 

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Budget airline and Virgin Australia subsidiary Tiger Airways was retired in August, after Virgin Australia Group emerged from voluntary administration under new ownership, leaving one low-cost carrier in the Australian market – Jetstar.

But the new year will see a new player emerging with regional carrier REX starting flights to domestic capital cities.

"We'll all be doing our bit to make it irresistible to fly," Ms Hrdlicka said.

The American-born businesswoman and former Jetstar Boss replaced Paul Scurrah as CEO of Virgin Australia in November.

She considers Alan Joyce a mentor and said she welcomes competition in the market after relations between Qantas and Virgin hit rock bottom this year.

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"I think what Qantas needs and the whole industry needs is a really strong and healthy Virgin Australia," she said.

"So the only trick we're taking to the industry is really being focussed on our heartland and being super competitive."

In the sit-down interview, Ms Hrdlicka addressed the airline's 3000 job cuts and said re-opening international borders is key to growing staff in the new year.

"We're working hard with the government to encourage borders to stay open and to as fast as possible establish corridors where we can start to begin international flying as well cause that's what brings jobs back," she said.

This week it was revealed the Virgin boss won't take a pay cheque until July, 2021.

"Everybody has had to work together to ensure VA long term success and it didn't feel right stepping into the business not having participated in that pain to set the business up for the future…" she said.

"We're all in this together and we will get through it and we will be really strong."