Australian Aviation - March 2017

TN486 · Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:51 am

Thanks to all who replied to my query re QF9. My commitments at the moment are such that my "nutter" research time has been quite limited of late.
cheers

Obzerva · Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:45 am

So with the AS/VX announcement, and the VX brand disappearing, do we think VA will be losing a North American partner or is there a chance they may plug the gap? B6 perhaps?

BallsUp · Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:54 am

Obzerva wrote:
So with the AS/VX announcement, and the VX brand disappearing, do we think VA will be losing a North American partner or is there a chance they may plug the gap? B6 perhaps?

VX was never an official partner for VA anyway. Their Nth American partner is Delta, so no loss to them.

Obzerva · Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:05 pm

BallsUp wrote:
Obzerva wrote:
So with the AS/VX announcement, and the VX brand disappearing, do we think VA will be losing a North American partner or is there a chance they may plug the gap? B6 perhaps?

VX was never an official partner for VA anyway. Their Nth American partner is Delta, so no loss to them.

Codesharing on them and being able to earn points and status on VX flight numbers as well isn't official?

RyanairGuru · Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:33 pm

Does anyone know why there is an Air China 747 in Canberra? It's been there for a few days so I doubt it's a diversion.

RyanairGuru · Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:37 pm

Obzerva wrote:
BallsUp wrote:
Obzerva wrote:
So with the AS/VX announcement, and the VX brand disappearing, do we think VA will be losing a North American partner or is there a chance they may plug the gap? B6 perhaps?

VX was never an official partner for VA anyway. Their Nth American partner is Delta, so no loss to them.

Codesharing on them and being able to earn points and status on VX flight numbers as well isn't official?

I guess it depends how you define "official". They have a JBA with Delta so that is definitely their primary North America but they do also have an interline and codeshare relationship with VX. I guess that similar to QF with AS and WS. Given that AS is a notorious codeshare whore and VA already interline/partner with WS and AM in addition to DL I would expect that VA and AS will eventually interline if not codeshare.

sunrisevalley · Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:17 pm

RyanairGuru wrote:
[I guess it depends whose version of the restrictions they are referring to whether this is a meaningful statement or not. The US policy includes UAE and Qatar, which would be a big deal, whereas there are no flights to Australia from any of the countries on the UK list.

But many originate in the named cities and transit through UAE and Qatar without any additional security.

DeltaB717 · Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:41 pm

RyanairGuru wrote:
Does anyone know why there is an Air China 747 in Canberra? It's been there for a few days so I doubt it's a diversion.

Chinese President is visiting Canberra (arrived late Wednesday night, around 11pm local). Word is he's off to Sydney later today, then over to NZ where a CA B738 is waiting, having positioned there via Darwin last night (which leads me to think his NZ visit includes some smaller cities less compatible with B747).

tullamarine · Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:17 am

http://www.bunburymail.com.au/story/4377283/virgin-australia-christmas-eve-flights-from-los-angeles-skip-christmas-day/

Nice treatment by VA for these passengers. Everyone will be trying to get on the 24/12 flights out of LAX this year in the hope that they repeat the status presents.

LamboAston · Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:27 am

DeltaB717 wrote:
RyanairGuru wrote:
Does anyone know why there is an Air China 747 in Canberra? It's been there for a few days so I doubt it's a diversion.

Chinese President is visiting Canberra (arrived late Wednesday night, around 11pm local). Word is he's off to Sydney later today, then over to NZ where a CA B738 is waiting, having positioned there via Darwin last night (which leads me to think his NZ visit includes some smaller cities less compatible with B747).

Even WLG would struggle to have a 747 space and runway wise.

DavidByrne · Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:34 am

LamboAston wrote:
DeltaB717 wrote:
RyanairGuru wrote:
Does anyone know why there is an Air China 747 in Canberra? It's been there for a few days so I doubt it's a diversion.

Chinese President is visiting Canberra (arrived late Wednesday night, around 11pm local). Word is he's off to Sydney later today, then over to NZ where a CA B738 is waiting, having positioned there via Darwin last night (which leads me to think his NZ visit includes some smaller cities less compatible with B747).

Even WLG would struggle to have a 747 space and runway wise.

WLG has handled 747s a number of times in the past, inclluding a BA diversion (and that's going back a while . . . ). While I'm sure it couldn't take off fully loaded, I doubt that a VIP flight is going to be anything like fully loaded.

Unclekoru · Fri Mar 24, 2017 9:12 am

DavidByrne wrote:
LamboAston wrote:
DeltaB717 wrote:

Chinese President is visiting Canberra (arrived late Wednesday night, around 11pm local). Word is he's off to Sydney later today, then over to NZ where a CA B738 is waiting, having positioned there via Darwin last night (which leads me to think his NZ visit includes some smaller cities less compatible with B747).

Even WLG would struggle to have a 747 space and runway wise.

WLG has handled 747s a number of times in the past, inclluding a BA diversion (and that's going back a while . . . ). While I'm sure it couldn't take off fully loaded, I doubt that a VIP flight is going to be anything like fully loaded.

I think you mean a UA diversion. A United 747-100 diverted to WLG in the early 90's. But yes, runway length for a lightly loaded 747 would be unlikely to present any problems.

DavidByrne · Fri Mar 24, 2017 9:32 am

Unclekoru wrote:
DavidByrne wrote:
LamboAston wrote:
Even WLG would struggle to have a 747 space and runway wise.

WLG has handled 747s a number of times in the past, inclluding a BA diversion (and that's going back a while . . . ). While I'm sure it couldn't take off fully loaded, I doubt that a VIP flight is going to be anything like fully loaded.

I think you mean a UA diversion. A United 747-100 diverted to WLG in the early 90's. But yes, runway length for a lightly loaded 747 would be unlikely to present any problems.

Actually I'm pretty sure that a BA 747 used WLG once though I'm open to correction.

qf789 · Fri Mar 24, 2017 9:54 am

From 24th April 17 Malindo Air will reduce PER from 12 weekly to 10 weekly

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air ... s-in-ns17/

qf789 · Sat Mar 25, 2017 5:34 am

Last night TT758 PER-SYD returned to the gate after a durian fruit caused fumes on board the aircraft

https://twitter.com/flightradar24/statu ... 8115100676

qf71 · Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:47 am

Does anyone have any idea as to why QF went with VH-ZNA and a ZN* rego series for it's B787-9s? It doesn't sound very logical and very New Zealandish ie VH-ZNZ!
It really would have been nice and logical if the used the VH-OJ* series of regos for the B787-9s following the VH-O** rego tradition that began with the B763ERs some 30 years ago. How symbolic would it have looked for QF if the first B787-9 was registered VH-OJA and flew non stop from London Heathrow to Australia for it's delivery flight some 28 years after it's first B747-438 performed the record breaking flight. Since the B787-9 is so efficient they probably could do a flyby pas Wollongong on the approach to SYD! Think of the marketing potential QF!

qf789 · Sat Mar 25, 2017 10:40 am

Qantas has cancelled this week's launch for WIFI

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-cancels ... t-internet

EK413 · Sat Mar 25, 2017 2:03 pm

DXB has been hit by somewhat unusual weather resulting in last nights QF9 nightstopping in MCT for those of you interested. DXB was hit with heavy hail storm.

EK413

jupiter2 · Sat Mar 25, 2017 7:48 pm

qf71 wrote:
Does anyone have any idea as to why QF went with VH-ZNA and a ZN* rego series for it's B787-9s? It doesn't sound very logical and very New Zealandish ie VH-ZNZ!
It really would have been nice and logical if the used the VH-OJ* series of regos for the B787-9s following the VH-O** rego tradition that began with the B763ERs some 30 years ago. How symbolic would it have looked for QF if the first B787-9 was registered VH-OJA and flew non stop from London Heathrow to Australia for it's delivery flight some 28 years after it's first B747-438 performed the record breaking flight. Since the B787-9 is so efficient they probably could do a flyby pas Wollongong on the approach to SYD! Think of the marketing potential QF!

Old rego blocks get reused quite quickly now days and besides enthusiasts, there really isn't much room for sentimentality in the modern world unfortunately.

As for a 789 delivery flight from LHR to SYD doing a flypast of Wollongong, a standard approach to 34L would virtually do that anyway approaching from the west. Now if it did a low flyby at Longreach and then came to SYD, I'd be more impressed. Maybe a high profile delivery flight from LHR to PER with a full load of punters on board would be more appropriate.

bunumuring · Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:47 pm

qf71 wrote:
Does anyone have any idea as to why QF went with VH-ZNA and a ZN* rego series for it's B787-9s? It doesn't sound very logical and very New Zealandish ie VH-ZNZ!

Hey guys,
Does anyone know what names the Dreamliners will have, if any at all?
And note that the new release of a Gemini 1/400 QF Dreamliner die cast model has the fake rego VH-DRM....
Cheers,
Bunumuring.

sunrisevalley · Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:20 pm

EK413 wrote:
DXB has been hit by somewhat unusual weather resulting in last nights QF9 nightstopping in MCT for those of you interested. DXB was hit with heavy hail storm.EK413

Must have delayed outbound flights to MEL/SYD/BNE/AKL . These appear to be close to 2 hours late.

qf789 · Sun Mar 26, 2017 1:57 am

sunrisevalley wrote:
EK413 wrote:
DXB has been hit by somewhat unusual weather resulting in last nights QF9 nightstopping in MCT for those of you interested. DXB was hit with heavy hail storm.EK413

Must have delayed outbound flights to MEL/SYD/BNE/AKL . These appear to be close to 2 hours late.

The weather is also affecting DOH, all of QR's flights into Australia today are late. EK424/425 was cancelled overnight as a result of the weather in DXB

qf789 · Sun Mar 26, 2017 2:03 am

EK413 wrote:
DXB has been hit by somewhat unusual weather resulting in last nights QF9 nightstopping in MCT for those of you interested. DXB was hit with heavy hail storm.

EK413

Just to add both the QF9 DXB-LHR and QF2 LHR-DXB legs have been cancelled as a result of this diversion

http://theqantassource.com/qantas-a380- ... version-2/

qf2048 · Sun Mar 26, 2017 2:34 am

FlightAware showing "DUB1" on route to SYD from DXB. Due 20:43. Boeing 744.

Any ideas?

qf789 · Sun Mar 26, 2017 2:43 am

Yesterday's DL41SYD-LAX has diverted to HNL for a medical emergency

https://twitter.com/AirportWebcams/stat ... 0950492168

743Flyer · Sun Mar 26, 2017 5:21 am

qf2048 wrote:
FlightAware showing "DUB1" on route to SYD from DXB. Due 20:43. Boeing 744.

Any ideas?

Without checking FlightAware myself, it is probably a Dubai Air Wing aircraft. They have a fleet of all white 744's with a blue belly and used to transport things such as racehorses around. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that the aircraft do flights for the UAE royal family so they might be in town for whatever reason. Can anyone confirm this?

jupiter2 · Sun Mar 26, 2017 5:58 am

743Flyer wrote:
qf2048 wrote:
FlightAware showing "DUB1" on route to SYD from DXB. Due 20:43. Boeing 744.

Any ideas?

Without checking FlightAware myself, it is probably a Dubai Air Wing aircraft. They have a fleet of all white 744's with a blue belly and used to transport things such as racehorses around. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that the aircraft do flights for the UAE royal family so they might be in town for whatever reason. Can anyone confirm this?

Yep, usually here for a couple of days and normally moving horses. Comes in 2 to 3 times a year on average.

jupiter2 · Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:40 am

qf2048 wrote:
FlightAware showing "DUB1" on route to SYD from DXB. Due 20:43. Boeing 744.

Any ideas?

Apparently it is A6-HRM which is a pax aircraft in full UAE colours.

b747400erf · Sun Mar 26, 2017 10:13 am

743Flyer wrote:
qf2048 wrote:
FlightAware showing "DUB1" on route to SYD from DXB. Due 20:43. Boeing 744.

Any ideas?

Without checking FlightAware myself, it is probably a Dubai Air Wing aircraft. They have a fleet of all white 744's with a blue belly and used to transport things such as racehorses around. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that the aircraft do flights for the UAE royal family so they might be in town for whatever reason. Can anyone confirm this?

That is not correct information. There is no fleet. There is a single freighter A6-GGP that goes by the callsign Dubai 8. The Dubai Air Wing fleet is for VIP passenger travel of the royal family. Dubai 1 would be transporting the Emir.

qf2220 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:20 am

qf71 wrote:
Does anyone have any idea as to why QF went with VH-ZNA and a ZN* rego series for it's B787-9s? It doesn't sound very logical and very New Zealandish ie VH-ZNZ!
It really would have been nice and logical if the used the VH-OJ* series of regos for the B787-9s following the VH-O** rego tradition that began with the B763ERs some 30 years ago. How symbolic would it have looked for QF if the first B787-9 was registered VH-OJA and flew non stop from London Heathrow to Australia for it's delivery flight some 28 years after it's first B747-438 performed the record breaking flight. Since the B787-9 is so efficient they probably could do a flyby pas Wollongong on the approach to SYD! Think of the marketing potential QF!

I guess you could ask why they chose to go with the OJ and O* series 30 years ago as well?

Id be guessing that there are a few open slots after ZNA that can accomodate a fleet of 789s.

Which opens up an interesting question. Can someone look at a regos database and see how many regos are actually free after ZNA? This might give some indication of how many 789s are being thought about. Maybe.

qf789 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 1:21 am

qf2220 wrote:
qf71 wrote:
Does anyone have any idea as to why QF went with VH-ZNA and a ZN* rego series for it's B787-9s? It doesn't sound very logical and very New Zealandish ie VH-ZNZ!
It really would have been nice and logical if the used the VH-OJ* series of regos for the B787-9s following the VH-O** rego tradition that began with the B763ERs some 30 years ago. How symbolic would it have looked for QF if the first B787-9 was registered VH-OJA and flew non stop from London Heathrow to Australia for it's delivery flight some 28 years after it's first B747-438 performed the record breaking flight. Since the B787-9 is so efficient they probably could do a flyby pas Wollongong on the approach to SYD! Think of the marketing potential QF!

I guess you could ask why they chose to go with the OJ and O* series 30 years ago as well?

Id be guessing that there are a few open slots after ZNA that can accomodate a fleet of 789s.

Which opens up an interesting question. Can someone look at a regos database and see how many regos are actually free after ZNA? This might give some indication of how many 789s are being thought about. Maybe.

I read last week that VH-ZNA-ZNY have been reserved for QF. VH-ZNZ is already listed as used in the CASA database

qf789 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 1:24 am

Qantas was granted unlimited capacity and frequency to China last week by Australia's International Air Services Commission

https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-will-pu ... -hong-kong

jupiter2 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:03 am

b747400erf wrote:
743Flyer wrote:
qf2048 wrote:
FlightAware showing "DUB1" on route to SYD from DXB. Due 20:43. Boeing 744.

Any ideas?

Without checking FlightAware myself, it is probably a Dubai Air Wing aircraft. They have a fleet of all white 744's with a blue belly and used to transport things such as racehorses around. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that the aircraft do flights for the UAE royal family so they might be in town for whatever reason. Can anyone confirm this?

That is not correct information. There is no fleet. There is a single freighter A6-GGP that goes by the callsign Dubai 8. The Dubai Air Wing fleet is for VIP passenger travel of the royal family. Dubai 1 would be transporting the Emir.

Actually carrying the U.A.E football team for their World Cup qualifier against Australia on Tuesday, so not exactly the Emir, unless he was on board as well to come and watch the game. Though if they were to qualify, they may reach royalty status back home

jupiter2 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:08 am

qf789 wrote:
Qantas was granted unlimited capacity and frequency last week by Australia's International Air Services Commission

https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-will-pu ... -hong-kong

The unlimited rights for Qantas are to China, not HKG and include any services that Jetstar may commence, as well as the code shares with MU.

qf789 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:48 am

Beijing Capital Airlines plans 2 weekly TAO-SYD from 9 AUG 17

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air ... 17-launch/

zkncj · Mon Mar 27, 2017 6:19 am

qf71 wrote:
Does anyone have any idea as to why QF went with VH-ZNA and a ZN* rego series for it's B787-9s? It doesn't sound very logical and very New Zealandish ie VH-ZNZ!

Pretty ironic when NZ's 789s are ZK-NZC,NZD,NZE,NZF,NZG,NZI,NZJ,NZK at least Qantas has started with ZNA.

waoz1 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 9:48 am

Qantas will be keeping Perth T1 International lounge
After Qantas moves international operations to T3/T4 they will be keeping their T1 (international lounge) to cater for its international partners.
Will be getting a bit of a refresh in the process.

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-will-ke ... after-2018

777boi · Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:24 am

My partner who works for SAA said that they are evaluating BNE! If this ever comes to fruition, I have a few questions! Could the A346 make the return journey non stop? And secondly, as VA crew, I know sometimes we can have up to 90 pax connecting from BNE-PER-JNB, so would this make the PER-JNB ROUTE unviable? Would it make more sense to have one successful Australia route, or 2 mediocre performing routes?

ben175 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:32 am

777boi wrote:
My partner who works for SAA said that they are evaluating BNE! If this ever comes to fruition, I have a few questions! Could the A346 make the return journey non stop? And secondly, as VA crew, I know sometimes we can have up to 90 pax connecting from BNE-PER-JNB, so would this make the PER-JNB ROUTE unviable? Would it make more sense to have one successful Australia route, or 2 mediocre performing routes?

SA in BNE is not going to happen, at least not before SYD or MEL.

I've heard JNB-PER has really benefited from the VA connections, so I assume it would be a lose-lose for both airlines.

smi0006 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:02 pm

ben175 wrote:
777boi wrote:
My partner who works for SAA said that they are evaluating BNE! If this ever comes to fruition, I have a few questions! Could the A346 make the return journey non stop? And secondly, as VA crew, I know sometimes we can have up to 90 pax connecting from BNE-PER-JNB, so would this make the PER-JNB ROUTE unviable? Would it make more sense to have one successful Australia route, or 2 mediocre performing routes?

SA in BNE is not going to happen, at least not before SYD or MEL.

I've heard JNB-PER has really benefited from the VA connections, so I assume it would be a lose-lose for both airlines.

MEL would make sense, but even at three weekly the A346 is expensive, and perhaps a bit big? BNE, I'd be very surprised, is there a large SA population in BNE? MEL is reasonably big after PER. VA did well out of MEL to JNB, it was the 77W that killed it with long detours at the time not the demand or yields.

I doubt 90 pax would make a route unviable that's seasonal fluctuation in loads. It may decrease the profit, but not enormously. Different if they were filling the business cabin perhaps.

sunrisevalley · Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:15 pm

[quote="777boi"]My partner who works for SAA said that they are evaluating BNE! If this ever comes to fruition, I have a few questions! Could the A346 make the return journey non stop?[quote="777boi"]

Westbound on a so-so day would be about 15hrs. Payload would be ~38t , max passenger plus a ton or two of cargo.

grjplanes · Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:30 pm

As much as I would love to be able to fly direct to BNE from JNB, I doubt this will happen soon...even less by SAA...if they're to make a decision like that then it's proof they've got no one capable making these decisions. Even as a tag-on to PER.
I think it will be more ideal if QF/JQ could offer JNB-PER with tag-on to MEL and BNE, say 3 weekly each, with a capable aircraft (will the 789 be able to do PER-JNB without much diversion?)
There's a reasonable South African community in BNE and up the Sunshine Coast, but not enough to warrant this, together with Aussie tourists.

getluv · Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:36 am

QF have announced they will codeshare on LA's MEL-SCL service.

sunrisevalley · Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:38 pm

getluv wrote:
QF have announced they will codeshare on LA's MEL-SCL service.

when does that start? Assume it will be a 789 service.

kriskim · Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:07 pm

sunrisevalley wrote:
getluv wrote:
QF have announced they will codeshare on LA's MEL-SCL service.

when does that start? Assume it will be a 789 service.

Starts 05OCT! Yes, 789 service.

Not surprising really! PER, ADL, HBA pax will find it easier to transit at MEL rather than SYD. The time the flight lands at MEL, there won't be that much traffic at customs/quarantine so should be a breeze to get through then connect onto the next flight.

Very exciting times for MEL nonetheless! First Sth American connection, hopefully this service grows in the future with more Sth American connections for MEL down the track as the South American countries and Australia further boost trade and business ties.

Anyone know how MK is doing on its PER flights? Would love to see them back at MEL! There's still quite a large Mauritian community here in Melbourne, the largest in Australia I believe. Though I think MK did try to hold on to MEL for as long as it could before giving it the axe a few years ago.

sunrisevalley · Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:26 pm

[quote="kriskim"] Starts 05OCT! Yes, 789 service. /quote]

If my figuring is correct a 12.55PM SCL departure and a 5.55PM arrival in MEL is a 16hr flight. Given that SCL-SYD is typically about 14.5hrs and the distance to MEL is about 20nm less, the 16hrs seems excessive. Now I know the 747ER cruise is slightly higher but that would not make the difference. 16hrs for the 789 limits the payload to ~34t. Something nearer to 14.5 hrs would add an additional 5t of payload.

qf789 · Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:35 pm

kriskim wrote:
Anyone know how MK is doing on its PER flights? Would love to see them back at MEL! There's still quite a large Mauritian community here in Melbourne, the largest in Australia I believe. Though I think MK did try to hold on to MEL for as long as it could before giving it the axe a few years ago.

MK will add a 3rd weekly service from July, previously its only been operated in peak periods

http://www.aviationwa.org.au/2016/09/22 ... and-a330s/

Load factors have been quite good especially during peak times, listed below are load factors (arrival/departure) for last 6 months of 2016

JUL 98%/92%
AUG 80%/79%
SEP 86%/83%
OCT 90%/72%
NOV 73%/75%
DEC 70%/99%

qf789 · Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:37 pm

VH-OQA which diverted to MCT a few days ago also suffered a bird strike on approach into MCT

http://avherald.com/h?article=4a6c87a4&opt=0

777LRF · Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:58 am

What do we all think of the idea of QF restarting AKL-LAX? One of their more interesting routes they did but there's probably too much capacity with AA and UA on the route now.

smi0006 · Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:05 am

777LRF wrote:
What do we all think of the idea of QF restarting AKL-LAX? One of their more interesting routes they did but there's probably too much capacity with AA and UA on the route now.

If the JV is approved, I'd say nil. AA already have QF feed ex-AU and would be duplication in a metal neutral market. If the JV isn't approved and AA withdraw as they have stated along with SYD and it becomes unviable perhaps.

Seems a good route for a 789, but would QFs config be too premium heavy? Do they have the feed into AKL as NZ does to support the services? And more important, is it a key market that justifies the usage of an expensive asset? I would rather see SYD-ORD, or MEL/BNE-DFW before AKL-LAX.

Does bring into question what QFs next move is on the Tasman. With EK as a partner do they need to expand at all in the next 5 years? With EK/JQ/QF they have got a good competitive balance with NZ/VA. could we see 321NEO or 739MAX boosting capacity? Or simply more seasonal 330 flying?

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