atal17 wrote:

Singapore becomes the first country to have their citizens be allowed into Australia quarantine-free for work, tourism and study purposes effective 28NOV

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ts-workers

myki wrote:

I hate to bring this back to an aviation discussion rather than Covid, submarines, and the like, apologies for that just wondering if there's any news on those "smaller" carriers returning to our fair shores anytime soon on a regular (non-chartered/repatriation) basis. The likes of RB, PX, SB, etc.

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

myki wrote:

I hate to bring this back to an aviation discussion rather than Covid, submarines, and the like, apologies for that just wondering if there's any news on those "smaller" carriers returning to our fair shores anytime soon on a regular (non-chartered/repatriation) basis. The likes of RB, PX, SB, etc.

The border to New Caledonia is closed until 31/12/2021 at this stage, so unfortunately nothing for SB till at least then. Not sure about the others, sorry.

I flew SB in Jan last year and was quite impressed. It was on their new A339.

Cheers.

RyanairGuru wrote:

atal17 wrote:

Singapore becomes the first country to have their citizens be allowed into Australia quarantine-free for work, tourism and study purposes effective 28NOV

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ts-workers

I’ll be pedantic and point out that New Zealand was first.

I’ll also point out that entering ‘Australia’ quarantine free only applies to NSW and VIC.

I must have woken up in a grumpy mood today haha

log0008 wrote:

Without taking the conversation back to vaccines (apologies to QF789 for my post before), a further announcement from the TGA today adding 2 more vaccines to the accepted list.

Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India)
BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China)

In addition mixing of any of the approved or accepted vaccines is now accepted for the purpose of entry.


https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/tg ... nationally

Kent350787 wrote:

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

myki wrote:

I hate to bring this back to an aviation discussion rather than Covid, submarines, and the like, apologies for that just wondering if there's any news on those "smaller" carriers returning to our fair shores anytime soon on a regular (non-chartered/repatriation) basis. The likes of RB, PX, SB, etc.

The border to New Caledonia is closed until 31/12/2021 at this stage, so unfortunately nothing for SB till at least then. Not sure about the others, sorry.

I flew SB in Jan last year and was quite impressed. It was on their new A339.

Cheers.

I take it the daily SB A339 flight is cargo only at the moment? (or is it weekend only - I've seen it Saturday and Sunday at least for months)

Kent350787 wrote:

I take it the daily SB A339 flight is cargo only at the moment? (or is it weekend only - I've seen it Saturday and Sunday at least for months)

atal17 wrote:

Does anyone know when the last flights between Australia and French Polynesia were operated? What was the frequency and schedule like?

atal17 wrote:

Does anyone know when the last flights between Australia and French Polynesia were operated? What was the frequency and schedule like?

Sydscott wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

atal17 wrote:

Singapore becomes the first country to have their citizens be allowed into Australia quarantine-free for work, tourism and study purposes effective 28NOV

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ts-workers

I’ll be pedantic and point out that New Zealand was first.

I’ll also point out that entering ‘Australia’ quarantine free only applies to NSW and VIC.

I must have woken up in a grumpy mood today haha

Does NZ really count as another Country? I kinda think of them as another State with a Border up just like our Western State......hahaha

But seriously great news for the "free" peoples of the ACT, NSW and VIC and it will be great when QLD and the other States join us next year in being able to travel to Singapore and beyond. I always suspected that Singapore might be the first of the Asian Countries that we did this sort of deal with and it makes sense to given they already have the experience of how it works with Germany. I also wonder whether QF will actually bring back Singapore - London next year given the absence of a travel lane with the UK and no signs of one being agreed on with Singapore. Without the ability of UK citizens to make a local stop in Singapore without Quarantine it might be easier for QF to do a second daily DRW-LHR. Anyway we'll see next year how things are going but for now it's great seeing International planes actually flying in and networks starting to open up again!

melpax wrote:

Wouldn't be suprised if RB restarts it's MEL service when students are allowed back in. They were usually the cheapest option to London, their prices were normally only bettered by some of the Chinese carriers on occasion. They were popular in Melbourne as a result.

lammified wrote:

Sydscott wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

I’ll be pedantic and point out that New Zealand was first.

I’ll also point out that entering ‘Australia’ quarantine free only applies to NSW and VIC.

I must have woken up in a grumpy mood today haha

Does NZ really count as another Country? I kinda think of them as another State with a Border up just like our Western State......hahaha

But seriously great news for the "free" peoples of the ACT, NSW and VIC and it will be great when QLD and the other States join us next year in being able to travel to Singapore and beyond. I always suspected that Singapore might be the first of the Asian Countries that we did this sort of deal with and it makes sense to given they already have the experience of how it works with Germany. I also wonder whether QF will actually bring back Singapore - London next year given the absence of a travel lane with the UK and no signs of one being agreed on with Singapore. Without the ability of UK citizens to make a local stop in Singapore without Quarantine it might be easier for QF to do a second daily DRW-LHR. Anyway we'll see next year how things are going but for now it's great seeing International planes actually flying in and networks starting to open up again!

There actually is a Vaccinated Travel Lane in place that allows for quarantine free travel between the UK and Singapore, subject to the usual requirements. All QF needs to do is to get themselves on it (on the leg between LHR and SIN, as I assume they will start VTL flights between SIN and MEL/SYD/BNE soon), like BA/AF/KL/LX/LH have done on their respective VTL routes. It would probably require the approval of the Singaporean government but open transit at Changi is already the norm for travellers arriving from Category 2 countries, which include both Australia and the UK at this point.

Now of course the new quarantine free arrangement with Singapore that becomes effective 21 Nov seems to be only for Singapore Citizens, although the full details have yet to be released so when and how the Aussie govt opens up for other nationalities remains to be seen, whether it is a unilateral opening on the part of Australia or a structured bilateral agreement between individual countries.

melpax wrote:

Wouldn't be suprised if RB restarts it's MEL service when students are allowed back in. They were usually the cheapest option to London, their prices were normally only bettered by some of the Chinese carriers on occasion. They were popular in Melbourne as a result.

myki wrote:

atal17 wrote:

Does anyone know when the last flights between Australia and French Polynesia were operated? What was the frequency and schedule like?

Looks like it was 2009 when SYD-PPT non-stop was dropped, but no schedule mentioned
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pac ... ey-flights

atal17 wrote:

I believe RB has even used A320neos to fly between BWN and MEL, is that correct?

LTEN11 wrote:

atal17 wrote:

I believe RB has even used A320neos to fly between BWN and MEL, is that correct?

The 787 has been operating the flight. There may have been a flight operated by the 320, but it is not the regular aircraft used.

atal17 wrote:

myki wrote:

atal17 wrote:

Does anyone know when the last flights between Australia and French Polynesia were operated? What was the frequency and schedule like?

Looks like it was 2009 when SYD-PPT non-stop was dropped, but no schedule mentioned
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pac ... ey-flights

Pre-pandemic, I always wondered if there was still a market for Australia & French Polynesia. But I’ve come to believe that may not be the case.

Thank you for looking it up!

A350OZ wrote:

atal17 wrote:

myki wrote:

Looks like it was 2009 when SYD-PPT non-stop was dropped, but no schedule mentioned
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pac ... ey-flights

Pre-pandemic, I always wondered if there was still a market for Australia & French Polynesia. But I’ve come to believe that may not be the case.

Thank you for looking it up!

It is too far and/or too expensive compared with other options we have, mainly SE Asia, Fiji, even Hawaii. A very niche product for Aussies and not enough to fill 2 or 3 flights per week (plus connecting in AKL isn’t too bad).

tullamarine wrote:

LTEN11 wrote:

atal17 wrote:

I believe RB has even used A320neos to fly between BWN and MEL, is that correct?

The 787 has been operating the flight. There may have been a flight operated by the 320, but it is not the regular aircraft used.

They have operated the A320NEO when 787s were unavailable due to maintenance but it was only for a very brief period.

kriskim wrote:

melpax wrote:

Wouldn't be suprised if RB restarts it's MEL service when students are allowed back in. They were usually the cheapest option to London, their prices were normally only bettered by some of the Chinese carriers on occasion. They were popular in Melbourne as a result.

Royal Brunei never stopped serving MEL! They have been flying to MEL during the pandemic. The route is an important connection for Brunei.

atal17 wrote:

A350OZ wrote:

atal17 wrote:

Pre-pandemic, I always wondered if there was still a market for Australia & French Polynesia. But I’ve come to believe that may not be the case.

Thank you for looking it up!

It is too far and/or too expensive compared with other options we have, mainly SE Asia, Fiji, even Hawaii. A very niche product for Aussies and not enough to fill 2 or 3 flights per week (plus connecting in AKL isn’t too bad).

That’s what I thought as well - Fiji, New Caledonia, Cook Islands are more established destinations compared to Tahiti.

Even if someone was interested in launching SYD-PPT, there’s probably only enough traffic to fill a A320 once per week - which might not be possible given the distance.

ZK-NBT wrote:

atal17 wrote:

NZ can’t run an A320 from AKL due to a lack of diversion points let alone Someone doing SYD-PPT on an A320.

Interesting market, QF used PPT as a stopover enroute to LAX on 742s back in the day, then they flew it via AKL and terminated in PPT on a 763 for several years perhaps 1994/2001 or so? PH did run a 738 interestingly 2 weekly AKL-PPT and TN a weekly A342 before PH pulled out and TN went 2 then 3 weekly around 2003 or so.

ZK-NBT wrote:

atal17 wrote:

A350OZ wrote:

It is too far and/or too expensive compared with other options we have, mainly SE Asia, Fiji, even Hawaii. A very niche product for Aussies and not enough to fill 2 or 3 flights per week (plus connecting in AKL isn’t too bad).

That’s what I thought as well - Fiji, New Caledonia, Cook Islands are more established destinations compared to Tahiti.

Even if someone was interested in launching SYD-PPT, there’s probably only enough traffic to fill a A320 once per week - which might not be possible given the distance.

NZ can’t run an A320 from AKL due to a lack of diversion points let alone Someone doing SYD-PPT on an A320.

Interesting market, QF used PPT as a stopover enroute to LAX on 742s back in the day, then they flew it via AKL and terminated in PPT on a 763 for several years perhaps 1994/2001 or so? PH did run a 738 interestingly 2 weekly AKL-PPT and TN a weekly A342 before PH pulled out and TN went 2 then 3 weekly around 2003 or so.

CostaDelSol90 wrote:

Interesting discussion about RB - it will be interesting to see if they ever regain their pre-Covid services.

In MEL they were frequently regarded as the cheapest way to LHR, and were often heard and seen advertising. They had a relatively high profile for a tiny airline. However just prior to Covid there was immense backlash against them due to the adoption of Sharia Law. There were calls in Victorian parliament to ban them and at one stage I heard APAM had sought legal advice to do so.

VA, STA and other airlines cancelled all staff travel agreements with them and urged staff to not travel with them or via BSB. They also lost quite a few foreign crew for the same reason.

Covid masked their fall in loads but will be interesting to see if they continue to push on in the Australian market once normal passenger traffic resumes.

eta unknown wrote:

ZK-NBT wrote:

atal17 wrote:

That’s what I thought as well - Fiji, New Caledonia, Cook Islands are more established destinations compared to Tahiti.

Even if someone was interested in launching SYD-PPT, there’s probably only enough traffic to fill a A320 once per week - which might not be possible given the distance.

NZ can’t run an A320 from AKL due to a lack of diversion points let alone Someone doing SYD-PPT on an A320.

Interesting market, QF used PPT as a stopover enroute to LAX on 742s back in the day, then they flew it via AKL and terminated in PPT on a 763 for several years perhaps 1994/2001 or so? PH did run a 738 interestingly 2 weekly AKL-PPT and TN a weekly A342 before PH pulled out and TN went 2 then 3 weekly around 2003 or so.

I thought NZ did run an A320 nonstop AKL-PPT?

Obzerva wrote:

Something I wasn’t expecting, MEL’s first A380 since the resumption to be CZ, B-6140 inbound atm

kriskim wrote:

Obzerva wrote:

Something I wasn’t expecting, MEL’s first A380 since the resumption to be CZ, B-6140 inbound atm

They have been a regular occurrence at MEL during the pandemic, so not really a rare sight for the time being! Hoping to see a few test flights with QF’s own A380’s, really miss seeing them at MEL!

kriskim wrote:

Obzerva wrote:

Something I wasn’t expecting, MEL’s first A380 since the resumption to be CZ, B-6140 inbound atm

They have been a regular occurrence at MEL during the pandemic, so not really a rare sight for the time being! Hoping to see a few test flights with QF’s own A380’s, really miss seeing them at MEL!

Kent350787 wrote:

kriskim wrote:

Obzerva wrote:

Something I wasn’t expecting, MEL’s first A380 since the resumption to be CZ, B-6140 inbound atm

They have been a regular occurrence at MEL during the pandemic, so not really a rare sight for the time being! Hoping to see a few test flights with QF’s own A380’s, really miss seeing them at MEL!

Sydney has seen a weekly CZ A380 for much of the pandemic, I assume to keep crew hours up as much as anything.

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

Just wondering where you can find out the status of the QF 744s parked at VCV? Such as wether they’ve been sold, stripped for parts, etc.

Thanks in advance,

Cheers.

A350OZ wrote:

kriskim wrote:

Obzerva wrote:

Something I wasn’t expecting, MEL’s first A380 since the resumption to be CZ, B-6140 inbound atm

They have been a regular occurrence at MEL during the pandemic, so not really a rare sight for the time being! Hoping to see a few test flights with QF’s own A380’s, really miss seeing them at MEL!

Yes the CZ A380 has been to MEL every Wednesday on a weekly rotation, at least for the last few weeks/months. Quite interesting because I don’t think MEL ever saw it before the pandemic, at least not regularly? Used to be 777s or A330s as far as I can recall (happy to be corrected).

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

While looking for updates on construction of SWZ, I was wondering what impacts surrounding developments may have for the airport.

The proposed metro alone would deliver, in some respects, linkages to high level educational facilities. But I think the bigger draw card is meant to be the Aerotropolis, subsequently named Bradfield. Designed from the outset as being a high technology “city” with a focus on aerospace and engineering and a lot of things in the STEM category.

How much of this is likely to draw more business and/or premium related passengers, domestic and international, over just leisure and tourist passengers?

If the airport is scheduled to open on time by about 2025/2026 and no development starting in Bradfield prior to this, I would imagine it to be along way off.

Thanks and cheers.

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

While looking for updates on construction of SWZ, I was wondering what impacts surrounding developments may have for the airport.

The proposed metro alone would deliver, in some respects, linkages to high level educational facilities. But I think the bigger draw card is meant to be the Aerotropolis, subsequently named Bradfield. Designed from the outset as being a high technology “city” with a focus on aerospace and engineering and a lot of things in the STEM category.

How much of this is likely to draw more business and/or premium related passengers, domestic and international, over just leisure and tourist passengers?

If the airport is scheduled to open on time by about 2025/2026 and no development starting in Bradfield prior to this, I would imagine it to be along way off.

Thanks and cheers.