A reduced network of Virgin Australia domestic services is operating, while the airline looks to add destinations and flights in line with demand and when border restrictions ease.

Virgin Australia is not flying to Port Maquarie at the moment.

The airline, which is preparing to exit voluntary administration under the ownership of Bain Capital, says it plans to focus on core strengths and re-establish itself as an iconic Australian airline.

A continued commitment to regional flying forms part of the relaunch plan but the airline will cut the ATR aircraft from its fleet.

A Virgin Australia Group spokesman said they intended to have a strong network of destinations across regional Australia and were currently reviewing options to continue servicing routes such as Port Macquarie which was previously flown with its ATR aircraft.

"Options for the route may include replacing flying with a larger Boeing 737 aircraft, working with airline partners with smaller aircraft types, or utilising codesharing partnerships," the spokesman said.

Operations of a larger Boeing 737 into Port Macquarie would be subject to customer demand.

A Port Macquarie Airport runway upgrade and associated work in 2012-2013 paved the way for the larger planes.

Virgin Australia Group CEO and managing director Paul Scurrah said aviation and tourism sectors faced continued uncertainty in light of COVID-19 with many Australian airports recording passenger numbers less than three per cent of last year and ongoing changes to government travel restrictions.

"Demand for domestic and short-haul international travel is likely to take at least three years to return to pre-COVID-19 levels, with the real chance it could be longer, which means as a business we must make changes to ensure the Virgin Australia Group is successful in this new world," he said.

Mr Scurrah said even when pre-COVID-19 levels of travel returned, successful airlines would be influenced by demand and look very different.

Qantas has resumed direct flights between Port Macquarie and Sydney.

While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.