tullamarine wrote:

anstar wrote:

theabman wrote:

I wonder how QF would have the money to pay for these 320/1 NEOS after COVID, especially if they have spend extra to convert the current crew from B to A, would the MAX not be more appealing?

If they don't have the cash fro the 321's which they have already paid a deposit, where will they get the cash to buy the Max?

They would be able to source finance for a new fleet of whatever type as well as having no trouble attracting lessors who will always be interested in a blue-chip customer. The conversion costs for both crew and maintenance will be large but, if Airbus want to be successful, it knows it will have to contribute to these costs.

And QF can always convert some A330 pilots to A321 which the conversion cost and length is minimal - it's not like anyone has an NG type rating can sit straight into a MAX cockpit without some conversion trainings as well

Michael

eamondzhang wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

anstar wrote:

If they don't have the cash fro the 321's which they have already paid a deposit, where will they get the cash to buy the Max?

They would be able to source finance for a new fleet of whatever type as well as having no trouble attracting lessors who will always be interested in a blue-chip customer. The conversion costs for both crew and maintenance will be large but, if Airbus want to be successful, it knows it will have to contribute to these costs.

And QF can always convert some A330 pilots to A321 which the conversion cost and length is minimal - it's not like anyone has an NG type rating can sit straight into a MAX cockpit without some conversion trainings as well

Michael

The pilot cost is probably much less than the maintenance retraining costs. Getting existing 737 certified LAMEs transitioned to A32X is a costly and time-consuming exercise as is building up all the maintenance rotables required for a new type. Obviously, some of these can be shared with JQ however.

Part of me thinks reasons for QF to choose the A321neo would be to avoid public concern over flying the MAX, which has had its reputation permanently burned by the well documented and highly public crashes, grounding and investigations, as well as to differentiate itself from Virgin with a different aircraft type that's more modern, wider etc.

I'm not sure how many members of the public would care about A321neo vs 737MAX from that 'experience' perspective but no doubt Qantas would rev up the marketing and PR machine, roll out all-new and noticeably better business class and economy seats, 'brand' the whole cabin and experience eg 'Qantas Sky Cabin' or whatever and really drive home this difference between itself and Virgin.

That positive difference, plus the MAX being a 'negative difference', could prove very powerful.

Then again, if Qantas reckons it can hold let's say 80% of the domestic market as-is then maybe there's not enough justification for moving to the A321neo at all?

eamondzhang wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

anstar wrote:

If they don't have the cash fro the 321's which they have already paid a deposit, where will they get the cash to buy the Max?

They would be able to source finance for a new fleet of whatever type as well as having no trouble attracting lessors who will always be interested in a blue-chip customer. The conversion costs for both crew and maintenance will be large but, if Airbus want to be successful, it knows it will have to contribute to these costs.

And QF can always convert some A330 pilots to A321 which the conversion cost and length is minimal - it's not like anyone has an NG type rating can sit straight into a MAX cockpit without some conversion trainings as well

Michael

The A330 pilots (“international”) are on a separate EBA to the 737 pilots (“domestic”). I don’t know what the process would be to get pilots to voluntarily move to an inferior contract, but the unions will no doubt have something to say and be seeking something in return.

RyanairGuru wrote:

eamondzhang wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

They would be able to source finance for a new fleet of whatever type as well as having no trouble attracting lessors who will always be interested in a blue-chip customer. The conversion costs for both crew and maintenance will be large but, if Airbus want to be successful, it knows it will have to contribute to these costs.

And QF can always convert some A330 pilots to A321 which the conversion cost and length is minimal - it's not like anyone has an NG type rating can sit straight into a MAX cockpit without some conversion trainings as well

Michael

The A330 pilots (“international”) are on a separate EBA to the 737 pilots (“domestic”). I don’t know what the process would be to get pilots to voluntarily move to an inferior contract, but the unions will no doubt have something to say and be seeking something in return.

In addition an A330 pilot flying normal annual hours would be substantially more expensive than a 737 pilot flying a similar number of hours. Sure, some A330 pilots may like to move to domestic for lifestyle reasons, but whether they'd jump at a salary reduction is another matter. Realistically, a move to A32X will rely on a not insignificant retraining program for the existing 737 pilot pool. Any other approach is likely to ignite major workplace issues.

CraigAnderson wrote:

Part of me thinks reasons for QF to choose the A321neo would be to avoid public concern over flying the MAX, which has had its reputation permanently burned by the well documented and highly public crashes, grounding and investigations, as well as to differentiate itself from Virgin with a different aircraft type that's more modern, wider etc.

I'm not sure how many members of the public would care about A321neo vs 737MAX from that 'experience' perspective but no doubt Qantas would rev up the marketing and PR machine, roll out all-new and noticeably better business class and economy seats, 'brand' the whole cabin and experience eg 'Qantas Sky Cabin' or whatever and really drive home this difference between itself and Virgin.

That positive difference, plus the MAX being a 'negative difference', could prove very powerful.

Then again, if Qantas reckons it can hold let's say 80% of the domestic market as-is then maybe there's not enough justification for moving to the A321neo at all?

Most people do not know or care what aircraft they are on. The US experience, where the MAX is now back in service with AA, UA and WN with little to no customer pushback, supports this.

QF may want to introduce a new J class but, on domestic services, it is unlikely to be anything particularly different from the existing recliners. The J class war is over; there is no great advantage in bringing in a new seat that takes up extra space unless you can ramp up the fares accordingly.

Where does the 80% figure come from? QF (including JQ) currently have a domestic share of 68%. Absent VA disappearing, it is hard to see QF ever going much above 70% and they probably wouldn't want it to as such market dominance would invite significant competition controls on its operations.

theabman wrote:

anstar wrote:

Perhaps QF will go 321 and then A220s operated by QF link AOCs.

I wonder how QF would have the money to pay for these 320/1 NEOS after COVID, especially if they have spend extra to convert the current crew from B to A, would the MAX not be more appealing?

I wonder if moving forward QF even have a say in their regional fleet - depending how agreements with regional carriers are structured - network is slightly different, but the alliance model is new. They bought the E-190s separate from the QF agreement. Perhaps regionals will purchase the aircraft best suited for them, and then offer them to VA/QF. I can’t see QF ever operating the A220 directly or even by a fully owned subsidiary.

320/321NEO-XLR mix for Jetstar and QF group gives lots of flexibility to move the fleet around AU/NZ and Asia as markets recover, I could see this being a big advantage in post covid world - and do they have to be purchased brand new? I’m sure more NEOs will come onto the market over the next 18months if markets don’t recover.

797/787 & 350/380 seems a lot for international- But offers flexibility between domestic and Asia - its the longhaul that’s very niche and risky.

I wonder if moving forward QF even have a say in their regional fleet - depending how agreements with regional carriers are structured - network is slightly different, but the alliance model is new. They bought the E-190s separate from the QF agreement. Perhaps regionals will purchase the aircraft best suited for them, and then offer them to VA/QF. I can’t see QF ever operating the A220 directly or even by a fully owned subsidiary.

QF's say would depend on the regional operator. Obviously for Eastern or Network, which are wholly owned subsidiaries, they have complete control. For Alliance however, QF has no board representation despite its 20% shareholding and this is unlikely to change given competition constraints. This means QF cannot directly control what aircraft QQ selects but it can obviously influence it by making demands on on-board product, aircraft age etc. Undoubtedly the new arrangement that QF has with QQ was built around the E190s. Chances are they would've been equally happy if QQ was using A220s but wouldn't accept F100s.

tullamarine wrote:

I wonder if moving forward QF even have a say in their regional fleet - depending how agreements with regional carriers are structured - network is slightly different, but the alliance model is new. They bought the E-190s separate from the QF agreement. Perhaps regionals will purchase the aircraft best suited for them, and then offer them to VA/QF. I can’t see QF ever operating the A220 directly or even by a fully owned subsidiary.

QF's say would depend on the regional operator. Obviously for Eastern or Network, which are wholly owned subsidiaries, they have complete control. For Alliance however, QF has no board representation despite its 20% shareholding and this is unlikely to change given competition constraints. This means QF cannot directly control what aircraft QQ selects but it can obviously influence it by making demands on on-board product, aircraft age etc. Undoubtedly the new arrangement that QF has with QQ was built around the E190s. Chances are they would've been equally happy if QQ was using A220s but wouldn't accept F100s.

There is no way QQ would be doing what they are currently in the process of introducing with the E190's with any other aircraft currently available. Either the other suitable aircraft are too old, F70/F100, getting old/not enough available 717, too expensive 220 or the 190e2. The 190 is a known commodity, cheap acquisition costs, relatively cheap running costs, it's the right size with the right cost structure. The 220 and 190e2 would be way to expensive to purchase, to offer the rates that are attractive to QF and VA and if they had really been the best option, QF especially would've purchased/leased new ones without going through QQ.

tullamarine wrote:

Michael

The pilot cost is probably much less than the maintenance retraining costs. Getting existing 737 certified LAMEs transitioned to A32X is a costly and time-consuming exercise as is building up all the maintenance rotables required for a new type. Obviously, some of these can be shared with JQ however.[/quote]

There is always the option of out sourcing all of the LAMEs to JQ at a reduced cost.

zkncj wrote:

The pilot cost is probably much less than the maintenance retraining costs. Getting existing 737 certified LAMEs transitioned to A32X is a costly and time-consuming exercise as is building up all the maintenance rotables required for a new type. Obviously, some of these can be shared with JQ however.

There is always the option of out sourcing all of the LAMEs to JQ at a reduced cost.

Apart from the industrial firestorm that would probably accompany such a move (a walkout by LAMEs would quickly ground an airline), there is also the issue that it is unlikely JQ have a heap of spare LAMEs just sitting around waiting to service another 45 planes. Either way, the QF group would need to increase its stock of A32X qualified LAMEs and that means time and training.

anstar wrote:

Perhaps QF will go 321 and then A220s operated by QF link AOCs.

Pentadic point of order!
There is no QF Link AOC, [unless it has happened recently]. QF Link operate under the AOCs of various QF subsidiaries, one of whom is Eastern Airlines, there are others.

Gemuser

Gemuser wrote:

anstar wrote:

Perhaps QF will go 321 and then A220s operated by QF link AOCs.

Pentadic point of order!
There is no QF Link AOC, [unless it has happened recently]. QF Link operate under the AOCs of various QF subsidiaries, one of whom is Eastern Airlines, there are others.

Gemuser

Which is why I used plurals... as it covers Network, Cobham, Eastern & Sunstate

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2021/06/air-new-zealand-to-operate-melbourne-los-angeles-cargo-flights-for-australian-government.html

NZ has been awarded another Australian Government contract, this time it’s for an weekly MEL-LAX-MEL service for Cargo.

Along side NZ’s already AU Government Sponsored, BNE-LAX, BNE-NLK, SYD-NLK services.

Air NZ will extend both the Cairns and Sunshine Coast routes to year round under a new deal with Queensland. They were previously both winter seasonal only.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2106/ ... ations.htm

zkncj wrote:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2021/06/air-new-zealand-to-operate-melbourne-los-angeles-cargo-flights-for-australian-government.html

NZ has been awarded another Australian Government contract, this time it’s for an weekly MEL-LAX-MEL service for Cargo.

Along side NZ’s already AU Government Sponsored, BNE-LAX, BNE-NLK, SYD-NLK services.

I have no doubt that NZ must have put in a lower bid than Qantas, all the same it's a shame that our tax dollars are not going to help keep Aussie pilots, techs and engineers employed instead of NZ ones.

NZ516 wrote:

Air NZ will extend both the Cairns and Sunshine Coast routes to year round under a new deal with Queensland. They were previously both winter seasonal only.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2106/ ... ations.htm

How much is QLD funding NZ to make CNS/MCY-AKL year around? Can’t imagine they agreed to do it for nothing.

Hopefully they can find some better flight times for CNS-AKL, it’s currently 5hrs overnight on a a320NEO.

zkncj wrote:

NZ516 wrote:

Air NZ will extend both the Cairns and Sunshine Coast routes to year round under a new deal with Queensland. They were previously both winter seasonal only.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2106/ ... ations.htm

How much is QLD funding NZ to make CNS/MCY-AKL year around? Can’t imagine they agreed to do it for nothing.

Hopefully they can find some better flight times for CNS-AKL, it’s currently 5hrs overnight on a a320NEO.

My only thought about the timing is perhaps airport charges. Maybe a slot somewhere in the middle of the night incurs lower charges than say a peak/popular, daily charge. I would also think that they would try to minimise parking fees as well.

Just a thought.

CraigAnderson wrote:

zkncj wrote:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2021/06/air-new-zealand-to-operate-melbourne-los-angeles-cargo-flights-for-australian-government.html

NZ has been awarded another Australian Government contract, this time it’s for an weekly MEL-LAX-MEL service for Cargo.

Along side NZ’s already AU Government Sponsored, BNE-LAX, BNE-NLK, SYD-NLK services.

I have no doubt that NZ must have put in a lower bid than Qantas, all the same it's a shame that our tax dollars are not going to help keep Aussie pilots, techs and engineers employed instead of NZ ones.

I would assume NZ will reactivate one of its 77Ws for this. Except using a dedicated freighter, QF has nothing that can haul a similar amount of freight and VA has permanently parked its 77Ws.

CraigAnderson wrote:

zkncj wrote:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2021/06/air-new-zealand-to-operate-melbourne-los-angeles-cargo-flights-for-australian-government.html

NZ has been awarded another Australian Government contract, this time it’s for an weekly MEL-LAX-MEL service for Cargo.

Along side NZ’s already AU Government Sponsored, BNE-LAX, BNE-NLK, SYD-NLK services.

I have no doubt that NZ must have put in a lower bid than Qantas, all the same it's a shame that our tax dollars are not going to help keep Aussie pilots, techs and engineers employed instead of NZ ones.

Maybe it could also come down to cargo volume. If there are 773s sitting idle, might make more economic sense. Just checking on Wiki for a quick reference, the 773 has almost 30m3 more cargo space then a 787. And if you want to start stripping out seats, you’ve got a larger main deck as well.

And as an added thought; yes QF are using some 787s on cargo flights, but they maybe are maintaining a ceiling on that to limit flight cycles to avoid paying maintenance costs before than they’d like to. i.e. minimise expenditure for the time being.

tullamarine wrote:

I would assume NZ will reactivate one of its 77Ws for this. Except using a dedicated freighter, QF has nothing that can haul a similar amount of freight and VA has permanently parked its 77Ws.

Damn, beat me to it.

tullamarine wrote:

CraigAnderson wrote:

zkncj wrote:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2021/06/air-new-zealand-to-operate-melbourne-los-angeles-cargo-flights-for-australian-government.html

NZ has been awarded another Australian Government contract, this time it’s for an weekly MEL-LAX-MEL service for Cargo.

Along side NZ’s already AU Government Sponsored, BNE-LAX, BNE-NLK, SYD-NLK services.

I have no doubt that NZ must have put in a lower bid than Qantas, all the same it's a shame that our tax dollars are not going to help keep Aussie pilots, techs and engineers employed instead of NZ ones.

I would assume NZ will reactivate one of its 77Ws for this. Except using a dedicated freighter, QF has nothing that can haul a similar amount of freight and VA has permanently parked its 77Ws.

I would doubt it, it will be a 789. But never say never as NZ are planning to start returning 77Ws to service ‘soon’

zkncj wrote:

Hopefully they can find some better flight times for CNS-AKL, it’s currently 5hrs overnight on a a320NEO.

Probably more to do with aircraft utilisation. It's a leisure route and while NZ and Aus are closed to the world there is not much choice in "warm" holiday destinations so schedule doesn't have to be too competitive. NZ have done similar on AKL-PPT red eyes.

zkncj wrote:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2021/06/air-new-zealand-to-operate-melbourne-los-angeles-cargo-flights-for-australian-government.html

NZ has been awarded another Australian Government contract, this time it’s for an weekly MEL-LAX-MEL service for Cargo.

Along side NZ’s already AU Government Sponsored, BNE-LAX, BNE-NLK, SYD-NLK services.

What exactly does the Australian government use these flights for? That isn't available using existing commerical cargo capacity?

Perishable products to provided economic assistance to the agriculture industry. The scheduled flights that are still operating are already cargo wise.

zkncj wrote:

NZ516 wrote:

Air NZ will extend both the Cairns and Sunshine Coast routes to year round under a new deal with Queensland. They were previously both winter seasonal only.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2106/ ... ations.htm

How much is QLD funding NZ to make CNS/MCY-AKL year around? Can’t imagine they agreed to do it for nothing.

Hopefully they can find some better flight times for CNS-AKL, it’s currently 5hrs overnight on a a320NEO.

Good question and it be a commercial secret of course but must be high enough for Air NZ to do it. The CNS route suffers low demand during the summer so was converted to seasonal in 2014. I had to look it up

CraigAnderson wrote:

zkncj wrote:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2021/06/air-new-zealand-to-operate-melbourne-los-angeles-cargo-flights-for-australian-government.html

NZ has been awarded another Australian Government contract, this time it’s for an weekly MEL-LAX-MEL service for Cargo.

Along side NZ’s already AU Government Sponsored, BNE-LAX, BNE-NLK, SYD-NLK services.

I have no doubt that NZ must have put in a lower bid than Qantas, all the same it's a shame that our tax dollars are not going to help keep Aussie pilots, techs and engineers employed instead of NZ ones.

Off topic comment here but Aussie and NZ people are more or less the same relative to differences in the rest of the world and AU/NZ support helps everyone all round.

anstar wrote:

zkncj wrote:

Hopefully they can find some better flight times for CNS-AKL, it’s currently 5hrs overnight on a a320NEO.

Probably more to do with aircraft utilisation. It's a leisure route and while NZ and Aus are closed to the world there is not much choice in "warm" holiday destinations so schedule doesn't have to be too competitive. NZ have done similar on AKL-PPT red eyes.

I’m guessing that when North America opens up again the AKL-CNS flight will be retimed to connect in both directions, as it was for ever before.

DavidByrne wrote:

anstar wrote:

zkncj wrote:

Hopefully they can find some better flight times for CNS-AKL, it’s currently 5hrs overnight on a a320NEO.

Probably more to do with aircraft utilisation. It's a leisure route and while NZ and Aus are closed to the world there is not much choice in "warm" holiday destinations so schedule doesn't have to be too competitive. NZ have done similar on AKL-PPT red eyes.

I’m guessing that when North America opens up again the AKL-CNS flight will be retimed to connect in both directions, as it was for ever before.

Does anyone really think CNS-AKL-LAX is a logical routing when the much shorter CNS-BNE-LAX or the equidistant but lots more options CNS-SYD-LAX are available?

tullamarine wrote:

DavidByrne wrote:

anstar wrote:

Probably more to do with aircraft utilisation. It's a leisure route and while NZ and Aus are closed to the world there is not much choice in "warm" holiday destinations so schedule doesn't have to be too competitive. NZ have done similar on AKL-PPT red eyes.

I’m guessing that when North America opens up again the AKL-CNS flight will be retimed to connect in both directions, as it was for ever before.

Does anyone really think CNS-AKL-LAX is a logical routing when the much shorter CNS-BNE-LAX or the equidistant but lots more options CNS-SYD-LAX are available?

Yes it is a logical routing, NZ are pretty competitive in the market and pre covid were getting around a 777 load of pax a day from SYD/MEL/BNE/OOL/CNS/PER/ADL to LAX/SFO/IAH/ORD/HNL/YVR/EZE, so say 300+ pax a day is not insignificant to NZ, its a pretty logical routing, not the most direct one stop sure but the next best. All these flights connect for a reason and some Americans maybe stopping in AKL for a few days to. Also most had 777/787 on some services to offer a consistent product right through.

TBH I'm not sure why CNS is currently a redeye, there isn't much traffic atm although i am not convinced utilization has anything to do with it.

ZK-NBT wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

DavidByrne wrote:

I’m guessing that when North America opens up again the AKL-CNS flight will be retimed to connect in both directions, as it was for ever before.

Does anyone really think CNS-AKL-LAX is a logical routing when the much shorter CNS-BNE-LAX or the equidistant but lots more options CNS-SYD-LAX are available?

Yes it is a logical routing, NZ are pretty competitive in the market and pre covid were getting around a 777 load of pax a day from SYD/MEL/BNE/OOL/CNS/PER/ADL to LAX/SFO/IAH/ORD/HNL/YVR/EZE, so say 300+ pax a day is not insignificant to NZ, its a pretty logical routing, not the most direct one stop sure but the next best. All these flights connect for a reason and some Americans maybe stopping in AKL for a few days to. Also most had 777/787 on some services to offer a consistent product right through.

TBH I'm not sure why CNS is currently a redeye, there isn't much traffic atm although i am not convinced utilization has anything to do with it.

Plus the connection at AKL is a lot more convenient and quick (depending on flight schedules of course), given it is Intl > Intl within the same terminal. Not the change of terminals and bus transfer required in SYD or BNE.

ZK-NBT wrote:

TBH I'm not sure why CNS is currently a redeye, there isn't much traffic atm although i am not convinced utilization has anything to do with it.

I would say its likely todo with NZ only having 4x A320NEO's currently in service, Currently NZ only has AKL-CNS/MCY as International flights ex AKL. Everything else is operated by A32NEO's and 789s ex AKL.

So the 1930 departure from AKL, is likely to allow an A320NEO to operate an early morning Tasman return ex WLG or CHC. Then do a domestic flight up to AKL then onto CNS....

zkncj wrote:

ZK-NBT wrote:

TBH I'm not sure why CNS is currently a redeye, there isn't much traffic atm although i am not convinced utilization has anything to do with it.

I would say its likely todo with NZ only having 4x A320NEO's currently in service, Currently NZ only has AKL-CNS/MCY as International flights ex AKL. Everything else is operated by A32NEO's and 789s ex AKL.

So the 1930 departure from AKL, is likely to allow an A320NEO to operate an early morning Tasman return ex WLG or CHC. Then do a domestic flight up to AKL then onto CNS....

I noticed the other day it operates is 0715 ex AKL I think, I suppose it coulld be utilization but isn't HBT generally an A320 albeit often a CEO aswell, with the odd A321.

AU-NZ Travel Bubble Paused by NZ Govt - until at least Tuesday...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-26/ ... /100247024

ArtV wrote:

AU-NZ Travel Bubble Paused by NZ Govt - until at least Tuesday...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-26/ ... /100247024

Will be going for longer than that i am sure. except maybe for possible WA flights but depends on the outcome of the mining case.

ArtV wrote:

AU-NZ Travel Bubble Paused by NZ Govt - until at least Tuesday...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-26/ ... /100247024

The New Zealand bubble is becoming worse than domestic travel to Queensland…

I wonder if JQ is regretting bringing in the extra A320 capacity and reactivating the 787s with the school holidays kicking off with three capitals in lockdown and it swinging on tenterhooks for two others. Also wouldn’t want to be Rex right now trying to build their operation, possibly a lot of school holiday refunds to be giving out.

a320fan wrote:

I wonder if JQ is regretting bringing in the extra A320 capacity and reactivating the 787s with the school holidays kicking off with three capitals in lockdown and it swinging on tenterhooks for two others. Also wouldn’t want to be Rex right now trying to build their operation, possibly a lot of school holiday refunds to be giving out.

Agreed, I think we're on the verge of a national shutdown.

zkncj wrote:

ArtV wrote:

AU-NZ Travel Bubble Paused by NZ Govt - until at least Tuesday...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-26/ ... /100247024

The New Zealand bubble is becoming worse than domestic travel to Queensland…

The New Zealand bubble is international, I don't understand this comment. What is NZ as a country meant to do? Stay open and risk ending up like Australia? Its currently a 72hr pause which you would have to think will be extended but thats life for the moment, its just reality, it doesn't mean its easy or even fair in some cases but what else do you do?

jrfspa320 wrote:

a320fan wrote:

I wonder if JQ is regretting bringing in the extra A320 capacity and reactivating the 787s with the school holidays kicking off with three capitals in lockdown and it swinging on tenterhooks for two others. Also wouldn’t want to be Rex right now trying to build their operation, possibly a lot of school holiday refunds to be giving out.

Agreed, I think we're on the verge of a national shutdown.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Disappointing, absolutely but again what do you do?

a320fan wrote:

I wonder if JQ is regretting bringing in the extra A320 capacity and reactivating the 787s with the school holidays kicking off with three capitals in lockdown and it swinging on tenterhooks for two others. Also wouldn’t want to be Rex right now trying to build their operation, possibly a lot of school holiday refunds to be giving out.

Probably not as they are planning longterm and these extra A320s aren't even due until the last quarter of this year.

Does anyone have any numbers of the flights being cancelled at the moment?

Would a 2 to 4 week shutdown, hypothetically, be enough for the Federal Government to reinstall assistance to airlines. If not other jobs?

Gladys Berejiklian's gung-ho attitude towards Covid-19 has put the rest of the country at risk. Maybe NSW should be forced to pay the compensation to the airline industry for the chaos that has been caused for the start of the school holidays. Other States have sensibly locked down quickly in response to outbreaks. But the largest State where most people are travelling through to other State thought it new better, delayed the lockdown and now we are facing the consequences.

The most interesting aviation ranted factoid of the outbreak is the fact that an infected staff member at the seafood place is also a VA cabin crew and worked flights while infected.

It suggested to me that they may have had to take on other work to keep the lights on, unknowingly being there spreader to the work they’d prefer to be doing in aviation.

Hey Kent350787,

Totally incorrect, the VA Cabin Crew member was a close contact of the seafood driver. ABC and CH9 reporting that they werent even aware they were a close contact - indicating they probably passed in a shop or shared a lift, something fleeting. They weren’t on double duty.

timtam wrote:

Gladys Berejiklian's gung-ho attitude towards Covid-19 has put the rest of the country at risk. Maybe NSW should be forced to pay the compensation to the airline industry for the chaos that has been caused for the start of the school holidays. Other States have sensibly locked down quickly in response to outbreaks. But the largest State where most people are travelling through to other State thought it new better, delayed the lockdown and now we are facing the consequences.

So far, nonsense. The Queensland and NT cases are entirely independent of NSW to this point (NT actually exporting a case to NSW), with QLD's insistence on quarantine the very reaosn the miner caught the bug. The irony!

The Perth case contracted the virus - suspected in Sydney but still not confirmed - on 18 or 19 June, when there was only a handful confirmed local cases. That is, well before they had the data to make the lockdown decision. About where QLD is now at and they're still having crowd filled NRL Origin stadiums.

So no, actually, so far NSW's lockdown date hasn't had the impact you describe. Of course I understand the appeal of resorting to finger pointing, told ya so's, hindsight and parochialism, but last I checked NSW was still doing the heavy lifting for international arrivals and, oh I dunno, Australia was still a single country.

What is important and actually interesting is how airline scheduling teams untangle the mess that is domestic borders right now. "Hilarious" to see WA now admit that it's unfair to close down to states that have no cases (Tas and SA) - what a welcome change of tune there after the overreaction of last year. ACT seems to be treated as NSW by most states and territories. NSW is open to everyone I think but that only helps with one way traffic. Just a nightmare for the airlines to manage.

When things start to improve we might see new flights established between Canberra and NZ later towards the summer

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... mmer-barr/

Plus this article has further info:

https://aboutregional.com.au/canberra-a ... bble-port/

I got a tip that QF will fly the Australian Cricket Team to UVF from BNE this week on a B789, VH-ZNF. Does anyone know any particulars; Stops, etc?

Zidane wrote:

I got a tip that QF will fly the Australian Cricket Team to UVF from BNE this week on a B789, VH-ZNF. Does anyone know any particulars; Stops, etc?

Could only speculate, but AKL probably.

BNEFlyer wrote:

Zidane wrote:

I got a tip that QF will fly the Australian Cricket Team to UVF from BNE this week on a B789, VH-ZNF. Does anyone know any particulars; Stops, etc?

Could only speculate, but AKL probably.

Aircraft will operate direct BNEUVF


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