6thfreedom From Bermuda, joined Sep 2004, 3266 posts, RR: 22 Posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2247 times:
It looks like CX has finally taken the overdue leap, and will increase to triple daily HKG-MEL from October 2007.
Services will be operated with 3 class A330.
Flights will depart HKG early morning, providing connections from all of CXs European network, arriving Melbourne 20.00.
Services will then depart MEL 00.15, arriving HKG by 6am, providing onward connections to North Asia on CX/KA/CA services, as well as the 9am departure to LHR.
Given the suspension of BA and OS services to MEL, I think CX will be full in no time at all.
Planemanofnz From New Zealand, joined Sep 2005, 1653 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2242 times:
They'll definately be full. Where are they getting the other 330 from?
Though, I wonder whether or not if this service is going to be year round or not. CX flies to AKL twice daily for summer but only once daily for winter, maybe this is a similar set-up?
I think it is being made available from B777s coming into the fleet, and an A330 order (for 6 new ones IIRC) made about 2 years ago.
Quoting Planemanofnz (Reply 1): Though, I wonder whether or not if this service is going to be year round or not.
Yes, year round. The balance between European/Asian and inbound/outbound travel makes it viable.
Quoting Planemanofnz (Reply 1): Can't imagine QF being too happy about this.
QF lost the plot of the HKG-MEL sector about a year ago.
They took off the A330 direct when they introduced the B744 onto HKG/LHR, which in fact replaced the lost capacity from BA's suspension. At that time QF should have commenced double daily ops MEL-HKG.
1 x B744. MEL-HKG-LHR as per the current schedule, as well as
1 x A330 departing MEL midday, arriving HKG 18.00, then returning 19.30, arriving MEL 7.30+1.
oh well... I think CX is a superior product with superior connections over HKG anyway.
CXtra From Hong Kong, joined Jan 2006, 263 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2041 times:
Quoting 6thfreedom (Reply 2): I think it is being made available from B777s coming into the fleet, and an A330 order (for 6 new ones IIRC) made about 2 years ago.
so cx are getting new 777s and some regional a330s are being converted to long-haul? or will the extra a/c come from a new a330? how many out of the order have been delivered?
Cathay Pacific orders eight new regional aircraft
14 April 2004
Cathay Pacific Airways today announced it has placed firm orders for eight more wide-body regional aircraft as part of its plan to grow the airline and further enhance Hong Kong as a leading international aviation hub. The order will expand the airline's operating fleet to 94 aircraft.
Orders have been placed for two Boeing 777-300 aircraft and six Airbus 330-300 aircraft, all of which will be deployed on the airline's short- and medium-haul regional services. Three of the Airbus aircraft will be leased through the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).
The aircraft will be delivered from 2005 to 2007. The Boeing aircraft will be in a two-class configuration and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines. The Airbus aircraft will use Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. Five of the Airbus aircraft will be in a two-class configuration, while the A330-300 due for delivery in August 2006 will have a three-class cabin.
Cathay Pacific fleet to exceed 100 aircraft with new acquisitions
9 August 2004
Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that its fleet will exceed 100 aircraft after committing to eight used Boeing 747-400s, half of which will be converted into freighters. The aircraft will be obtained from a number of owners and operators and arrive from now through 2006. The airline plans to purchase seven and lease one other.
This acquisition follows orders made earlier this year for one new B747-400 freighter plus two new B777-300 and six new Airbus 330-300s to join the airline’s regional fleet. These combined commitments will swell the airline’s operating fleet from 86 all-wide-body aircraft at present to 103 in just over three years, after the final A330-300s arrive. This additional investment will add to the approximate 20 percent increase in passenger capacity made by the airline in the past two years.
Quoting CXtra (Reply 3): so cx are getting new 777s and some regional a330s are being converted to long-haul? or will the extra a/c come from a new a330? how many out of the order have been delivered?
Looks it's from the order in 2004.
2x B773 and 6 x A333.
My guess is that they will be fitted with the new J and Y class product.
I has also heard that the MEL and SYD ops were going to change to 2 class, with the brand new config.
Quoting VHXLR8 (Reply 4): Given that HKG is CX's base, of course they'll have superior connections.
Granted, but the point I was making was given the growth from Asia, QF could do with some more capacity into HKG. with the the schedule for example, china-melb connections are not possible.
Zeke From Hong Kong, joined Dec 2006, 7725 posts, RR: 73 Reply 6, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1974 times:
Quoting 6thfreedom (Reply 2): A330 order (for 6 new ones IIRC) made about 2 years ago.
5 new ones are still outstanding, as well as 3 aircraft being returned from CA. Expect some streamlining and increase in utilisation of the KA operation as well which may see them on a CX regional route as well.
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CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2696 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1859 times:
When will the additionaly service start, any info on that?
So, there's no chance on CX putting the 747 on the route again, I loved seeing the 747 in the CX livery?
6thfreedom From Bermuda, joined Sep 2004, 3266 posts, RR: 22 Reply 9, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 1536 times:
Quoting CXfirst (Reply 7): When will the additionaly service start, any info on that?
So, there's no chance on CX putting the 747 on the route again, I loved seeing the 747 in the CX livery?
I don't see the B747 back in the Australian skies any time soon.
As CX need capacity, I can see them upgauging to a B773 or A346 etc.
Quoting Chrisrad (Reply 8): Thankfully getting some increases in traffic to MEL, now if only my beloved MH could get their act together.....
They will within 2 years I think.
MEL is a very strong port for MH. I think the move to B772 twice daily is good.
Rather than going back to B744, I think they put in a third daily leaving MEL 10am daily... B772 or even an A330.
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