I recall reading a few weeks back that the Dalian Wanda Group responsible for the OOL flights which are to end was looking at further flights from WUH to Australia, perhaps this may take some of the future JQ 787 capacity that is being freed up.

pugsley wrote:

Melbourne Spotters will have some interesting B787-8 movements this weekend to keep them on their toes.

I do hope those red cranes will become a regular at MEL!

There were delays on both domestic and international flights earlier this evening at MEL due to technical difficulties

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... 2c86a6fc79

kriskim wrote:

pugsley wrote:

Melbourne Spotters will have some interesting B787-8 movements this weekend to keep them on their toes.

I do hope those red cranes will become a regular at MEL!

Me too! We will get to see at least one more tomorrow, and it will hang around for a few days.

Does anyone know why CX139 (77W) diverted to BNE on Wednesday night when other internationals held around SYD? Seems odd. I believe it headed down to SYD the next afternoon but then flew empty back to HKG?

pugsley wrote:

kriskim wrote:

pugsley wrote:

Melbourne Spotters will have some interesting B787-8 movements this weekend to keep them on their toes.

I do hope those red cranes will become a regular at MEL!

Me too! We will get to see at least one more tomorrow, and it will hang around for a few days.

What is it here for? Noticed it earlier and had to double check I wasn't missing something! A charter of some sort obviously?

Qantas16 wrote:

What is it here for? Noticed it earlier and had to double check I wasn't missing something! A charter of some sort obviously?

Charters for the Japanese National Soccer Team and their fans.

Was on you tube a week ago watching landings and take ofs from Sydney, I noticed Kalita Air Freight in, How long have they been flying to Sydney, and where do they fly in from and then fly out to?

pugsley wrote:

kriskim wrote:

pugsley wrote:

Melbourne Spotters will have some interesting B787-8 movements this weekend to keep them on their toes.

I do hope those red cranes will become a regular at MEL!

Me too! We will get to see at least one more tomorrow, and it will hang around for a few days.

Yes agree, I would love to see Japan Airlines start a service to Melbourne, what has stopped in in recent years do thye not see any value flying between Tokyo and Melbourne?

Flyingsottsman wrote:

pugsley wrote:

kriskim wrote:

I do hope those red cranes will become a regular at MEL!

Me too! We will get to see at least one more tomorrow, and it will hang around for a few days.

Yes agree, I would love to see Japan Airlines start a service to Melbourne, what has stopped in in recent years do thye not see any value flying between Tokyo and Melbourne?

They were planning on and even had slots then Qantas launched MEL-NRT and they pulled out.

Also, Melbourne Airport is completely out of service at the moment, no arrivals or departures due to extremely high winds

INFO P. AD CLSD. SIGWX: EXP TURB IN CCT AREA. RWY 34. WX: CAVOK. TMP: 15. WND: 350/35 MIN, MAX 55 KTS. MAX CROSSWIND 1 8 KTS. QNH: 1005.

BCago container blew onto the runway

Just put my daughter on a plane at CBR and saw a Jetstar A320 (VH-VQM) land and then taxi in to the bay short of Gate 13, where it sat for 10 minutes with engines running before I had to leave. I see from FlightAware that it was operating JQ509 from SYD to MEL and flew to central Victoria before one or more circuits in a holding pattern and flying back to CBR. Seems strange - anyone know what happened? FlightAware says JQ509 is now scheduled to fly CBR-MEL at 1350.

Melbourne airport was closed for 45 mins due to winds and luggage container that was on the runway, some flights had to divert

log0008 wrote:

Melbourne airport was closed for 45 mins due to winds and luggage container that was on the runway, some flights had to divert

Thanks - I now see that I should read the previous post to the end before adding something myself...

I believe SQ freighter also suffered a tail strike due to the winds. Runways were closed whilst an inspection was undertaken

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victo ... ry29l.html

smi0006 wrote:

I believe SQ freighter also suffered a tail strike due to the winds. Runways were closed whilst an inspection was undertaken

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victo ... ry29l.html

No SQ Freighters have been in MEL today from what I can see. However, SQ238 left at ~1150 and after that there was 25 minutes until next departure so I think it was that flight. Interestingly it has continued to SIN and is nearly there, did not return to MEL.

I can confirm from listening back to ATC, that the aircraft in question was SQ238 , they had no indication of tail strike and reported 'Ops normal' but marks of superficial damage to the runway surface we found however but no metal was located. At the same time 2 containers were blown from the cargo ramp onto the active runway. 3 arrivals prior to this went around.

aerokiwi wrote:

On the four transcon QF 330 flights I've had in the last three months, I was told by the FAs to ensure the ipad was in the seatback holder for landing. So, not much use if you can't have a plugin earphone at the same time. Overzealous FAs?

Few days late, but every flight I took on the iPad-equipped 763s and 712s it was the case that the iPad could be used through all phases of flight, but that if in use during taxi, take-off, or landing it must be held in the hands. There was no problem with the use of headphones at any time.

Similarly, the policy as I've seen applied for personal devices used on aircraft with in-seat power is that they may not be connected to that power during taxi, take-off, or landing.

I've not flown on an A330 with iPads but the policies you've had enforced seem to be completely at odds with what I've seen.

log0008 wrote:

Flyingsottsman wrote:

pugsley wrote:

Me too! We will get to see at least one more tomorrow, and it will hang around for a few days.

Yes agree, I would love to see Japan Airlines start a service to Melbourne, what has stopped in in recent years do thye not see any value flying between Tokyo and Melbourne?

They were planning on and even had slots then Qantas launched MEL-NRT and they pulled out.

I hope that JL hasn't been put off by QF launching MEL-NRT, essentially QF just replaced JQ and added an extra 3 weekly flights outside the peak, when JQ is daily anyways.

There's currently no indications that JL has pulled out yet, yes apparently the slots have been taken out, but maybe they are re-jigging the schedule since QF announced their own services. I was actually at T2 this morning picking someone up, and coincidentally saw JL FA's walking out of immigration, would be great to see them more regularly!

Once JQ is gone from the route, so will the JL code-share, both QF and JL don't code share on each other's Japan services so I doubt we will see JL place its code on the QF services. JL's presence will once again be limited to SIN in MEL.

kriskim wrote:

log0008 wrote:

Flyingsottsman wrote:

Yes agree, I would love to see Japan Airlines start a service to Melbourne, what has stopped in in recent years do thye not see any value flying between Tokyo and Melbourne?

They were planning on and even had slots then Qantas launched MEL-NRT and they pulled out.

I hope that JL hasn't been put off by QF launching MEL-NRT, essentially QF just replaced JQ and added an extra 3 weekly flights outside the peak, when JQ is daily anyways.

There's currently no indications that JL has pulled out yet, yes apparently the slots have been taken out, but maybe they are re-jigging the schedule since QF announced their own services. I was actually at T2 this morning picking someone up, and coincidentally saw JL FA's walking out of immigration, would be great to see them more regularly!

Once JQ is gone from the route, so will the JL code-share, both QF and JL don't code share on each other's Japan services so I doubt we will see JL place its code on the QF services. JL's presence will once again be limited to SIN in MEL.

Why do QF and JL not codeshare on their direct Japan-Oz services? It's the same in BNE, JL code is QF51/52 SIN-BNE but not QF61/62 NRT-BNE...

log0008 wrote:

I can confirm from listening back to ATC, that the aircraft in question was SQ238 , they had no indication of tail strike and reported 'Ops normal' but marks of superficial damage to the runway surface we found however but no metal was located. At the same time 2 containers were blown from the cargo ramp onto the active runway. 3 arrivals prior to this went around.

I find it odd the flight continued didn't opt to return for an inspection?

EK413

Qantas16 wrote:

Why do QF and JL not codeshare on their direct Japan-Oz services? It's the same in BNE, JL code is QF51/52 SIN-BNE but not QF61/62 NRT-BNE...

I'm not sure, maybe it's seen as anti-competitive? JL has no problems placing its code on JQ services, but it doesn't seem to touch QF, its also interesting to note that JQ's CNS/OOL-NRT/KIX services have QF codes on them but QF didn't place its code on JQ's MEL-NRT but will now replace that service entirely.

There were 2 EK A380's in PER today as todays EK424 was cancelled, instead it departed PER about an hour ago as EK2669

They closed the damn airport due to 30K headwind. people can land their cessnas in 30K crosswind.

downdata wrote:

They closed the damn airport due to 30K headwind. people can land their cessnas in 30K crosswind.

Thats a calm day in WLG!

downdata wrote:

They closed the damn airport due to 30K headwind. people can land their cessnas in 30K crosswind.

If you are referring to MEL winds exceeded 37knots which is well above the acceptable rate. For the airport to reopen winds must remain steady at 37knots for a period of 10 minutes.

EK413

Melbourne was actually closed due to a runaway container and damage to the runway due to a tail strike from SQ238. - Ground operations (Baggage loading/unloading, refueling etc) was suspended due to the wind. The wind at one stage was 40knots gusting 60 knots, the wind was also variable in direction, cross wind factor was up 25 knots

log0008 wrote:

Melbourne was actually closed due to a runaway container and damage to the runway due to a tail strike from SQ238. - Ground operations (Baggage loading/unloading, refueling etc) was suspended due to the wind. The wind at one stage was 40knots gusting 60 knots, the wind was also variable in direction, cross wind factor was up 25 knots

That was my point, a single engine light aircraft has no problem landing in 25K Xwind, let alone jets hundreds of time the weight. Some people flying to SYD had to stay overnight at the airport because of the closure, I was lucky to get stuck there for only 6 damn hours!

There's an awesome video circulating facebook of a QF 738 attempting to land in MEL during the high winds and then performing a go around. The comments are hilarious!

The video being shown is not from yesterday but a 5/5/15 it can be found on YouTube

TG473 (BKK-BNE) operated by HS-TQC diverted to DPS this afternoon. It apparently had issues with an oil line in the engine and were receiving multiple error messages. Evidently the flight had left BKK 3hrs late as it was, not sure if its a related issue.

Pax are staying in DPS overnight.

log0008 wrote:

The video being shown is not from yesterday but a 5/5/15 it can be found on YouTube.

This would be the 2015 one that is doing the rounds.. https://youtu.be/2kfEwb6x4ZU

ben175 wrote:

There's an awesome video circulating facebook of a QF 738 attempting to land in MEL during the high winds and then performing a go around. The comments are hilarious!

Glad I wasn't on that flight though..!

log0008 wrote:

The video being shown is not from yesterday but a 5/5/15 it can be found on YouTube

I dont believe everything I see without asking others or doing some research. People assume if its on the www it must be accurate

BIG NEWS:

Qantas has been given approval from the CAAC to fly SYD-PEK

Also
Capital Airlines: Beijing-Qingdao-Sydney
China Eastern Kunming - Sydney

Chinese Document: http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TZTG/2 ... 005369.pdf

[threeid][/threeid]

log0008 wrote:

BIG NEWS:

Qantas has been given approval from the CAAC to fly SYD-PEK

Also
Capital Airlines: Beijing-Qingdao-Sydney
China Eastern Kunming - Sydney

Chinese Document: http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TZTG/2 ... 005369.pdf

So does this signal a route announcement? They would need to use 332s to make it with a viable payload. Perhaps the same 332s that still have skybed 1? That way these remaining two aircraft fly exclusive to hnl and pek? Or could this be where the wanda group wants jq to fly with their spare 788s?

It's route approval has to be used within 12 months, like VA and PEK, HKG

So, one of Qantas A333, VH-QPJ, is hanging around in Victorville... I doubt it is retirement since it is only 10 years old and got refurbished last June. Anyone know what is it doing?

http://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-qpj

@AsiaTravel repaint? all existing images appear to be in the old roo. Perhaps VCV was cheaper than SIN this time round?

log0008 wrote:

BIG NEWS:

Qantas has been given approval from the CAAC to fly SYD-PEK

Also
Capital Airlines: Beijing-Qingdao-Sydney
China Eastern Kunming - Sydney

Chinese Document: http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TZTG/2 ... 005369.pdf

Didn't QF already fly to PEK from SYD? At the same time they flew MEL-PVG?

I would like to see QF open up SYD-PEK, replace on MU frequency between MEL-PVG and see MU open PVG-PER- however I don't know how sophisticated capacity and JV and alliance talk are between MU and QF and how this is seen under Chinese law and CAAC regulation.

smi0006 wrote:

log0008 wrote:

BIG NEWS:

Qantas has been given approval from the CAAC to fly SYD-PEK

Also
Capital Airlines: Beijing-Qingdao-Sydney
China Eastern Kunming - Sydney

Chinese Document: http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TZTG/2 ... 005369.pdf

Didn't QF already fly to PEK from SYD? At the same time they flew MEL-PVG?

I would like to see QF open up SYD-PEK, replace on MU frequency between MEL-PVG and see MU open PVG-PER- however I don't know how sophisticated capacity and JV and alliance talk are between MU and QF and how this is seen under Chinese law and CAAC regulation.

Pre GFC, QF used to fly both SYD-PVG and SYD-PEK and combined it was daily. Once the GFC hit they consolidated capacity at PVG and dropped PEK.

vhqpa wrote:

@AsiaTravel repaint? all existing images appear to be in the old roo. Perhaps VCV was cheaper than SIN this time round?

Appears to be a charter. It stopped in HNL on the way indicating it had a payload. I'd expect an empty 333 could do SYD-VCV without a problem.

On the YSSY board someone is suggesting a military charter.

The Qantas second season behind the scenes TV series Ready for Take Off started last week: https://www.9now.com.au/ready-for-takeo ... oy03f1qdh8

https://www.9now.com.au/ready-for-takeo ... n-2/extras

I thought this second series, at least the first episode so far, was better than the last series' episodes. I look forward to the next episode.

"The world's most trusted airline, Qantas, is about to welcome you aboard like never before. With a workforce of 30,000 people ensuring passengers have a smooth trip, Ready For Take-Off goes behind the restricted lines of the airport terminal and onto the tarmac and into the operations centre to find out what it takes to keep 160,000 passengers a day moving."

For all the SYD based aviation nuts, here is a chance to do a charity run on one of SYD's active runways (last year it was on 16R/34L). Numbers are limited to the first 100 only, cost is $100 and all proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House. Not sure if there are any tickets left, but give it a shot !

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sydney- ... 7916085764

747-8 CX freight confirmed one day a week from WellCamp West Brisbane to Hong Kong

http://www.wellcamp.com.au/latest-news/ ... t-services

Can some on please tell about the Kalitta Air Freight at Sydney how often do they come into YSSY and where do they come in from and where do they fly out to?

Thai77w wrote:

TG473 (BKK-BNE) operated by HS-TQC diverted to DPS this afternoon. It apparently had issues with an oil line in the engine and were receiving multiple error messages. Evidently the flight had left BKK 3hrs late as it was, not sure if its a related issue.

Pax are staying in DPS overnight.

HS-TQC is now on its way back to BKK, operating TG432 from DPS while HS-TQB which operated todays TG431 BKK-DPS is now on her way to BNE operating TG4739

http://www.flightradar24.com/THA4739/b4638b9

N817NW operating as DL8820 is flying from Singapore to Darwin today. Could it be picking up & dropping off marines?

vhqpa wrote:

@AsiaTravel repaint? all existing images appear to be in the old roo. Perhaps VCV was cheaper than SIN this time round?

Aircraft was ferried for maintenance/ respray.

EK413

I was driving past the QF hangar here in BNE today and noticed a HA A330 in there, does anyone happen to know why?

Is there any details on the delivery schedule of VA's new 737-8 MAX anywhere? I have seen reports of the first one being delivered sometime in 17/18, but wondering what the rate of delivery will be.