SYDNEY, March 11: Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson will visit Australia at the end of this month to reveal details of the much-anticipated V Australia operation.

V Australia is the new airline formed to operate trans-Pacific services between Australia and the US, and potentially other routes. The trans-Pacific route has been virtually controlled by Qantas until now until last month’s signing of an Open Skies Agreement between the US and Australian governments. United Airlines offers a lower-quality service on the route but the majority of passengers are flown by Qantas.

Branson’s participation in the public launch of the airline’s plans will ensure optimum publicity for the new airline.

He is also expected to announce a new Australian airport to be served by Malaysia-based AirAsia X in which Virgin Group has a 20% stake. That airline has been evaluating offers from Melbourne International Airport and Avalon, near Geelong, Victoria.

Branson will visit Melbourne on March 27 with AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes and AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani.