aerokiwi wrote:

LTEN11 wrote:

aerokiwi wrote:

Err they have kept it simple - they've farmed out the ops and the risk to another airline. Love to see the Saab in Virgin colours but I doubt we'll get that.

Frankly, the Saabs vs the Dashes is much of a muchness and I actually prefer the option of a single seat row in the Saab. Qantas' service vs REX doesn't warrant the price premium and I've been pleasantly surprised by the REX in-flight offering. The bus from the terminal is a pain, mind you.

My workplace has noted the premium QF has been charging on the route and we've been nudged to look at cheaper options. I even gave the train a go last year - hard pass on that one. So VA returning is a welcome move, moreso given the lounge infrastructure they have there that I couldn't access because of their absence on the route.

So they can count on at least one customer, once or twice a month return.

How have they farmed out the risk ? Link would most likely be getting a set fee per flight, whether there is 1 or 36 people on the flight, there's next to no risk for them as long as they operate when required, except maybe VA not paying them. VA on the other hand will have a break even figure, it might be 5, 10 or 30 passengers, they'll know what it will be, so they must be reasonably comfortable they will at least breakeven over the course of the contract. But the risk will be with VA to reach that breakeven figure, not Link.

VA aren't adopting a new fleet type or shoehorning in an existing one. Crewing will all be on Link. And maintenance will be Link. You know, the really substantial cost components.

So yeah, farmed out the riskiest elements, if you will. Sure there will be a contracted arrangement whereby VA has the burden of covering the opex and generating the revenue, but it's a much-scaled down approach than adopting, say, the ATRs all over again. It's a comparatively small move in the scheme of things as well but an important one in a high-value segment of the market. So the hyperventilating over it as unnecessary and "splashing out" is really hyperbole.

Not quite sure how Link will cover these flights without either culling some current routes or finding new SAABs

I did a quick search on CASA registry. I counted 7 x SAABs for Link or, (Vee H aviation), in the list. More than I thought they had.

Deano969 wrote:

Not quite sure how Link will cover these flights without either culling some current routes or finding new SAABs

I've noticed some of their fleet has pretty lengthy downtime in Canberra, so there may also be slack in the existing schedule too. Regardless it's a pretty ideal opportunity for Link - a guaranteed income from a major. Any regional would jump at the chance.

qf789 wrote:

Qantas moves forward A380 flights to LHR to July 22

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ts-in-july

Just did a search through the QF website from 01 to 07 Auguest, all I can see is 789's at the moment...

Either someone has a huge scoop or someone is being tardy loady the 388 into the schedule.

Speaking of QF and 388's ... There might be a QF388 movment from VCV to LAX on 10 December LAX time. Not sure of the rego at the moment.

FL420FT wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Qantas moves forward A380 flights to LHR to July 22

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ts-in-july

Just did a search through the QF website from 01 to 07 Auguest, all I can see is 789's at the moment...

Either someone has a huge scoop or someone is being tardy loady the 388 into the schedule.

Speaking of QF and 388's ... There might be a QF388 movment from VCV to LAX on 10 December LAX time. Not sure of the rego at the moment.

It can take several days for the schedule to be updated.

FL420FT wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Qantas moves forward A380 flights to LHR to July 22

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ts-in-july

Just did a search through the QF website from 01 to 07 Auguest, all I can see is 789's at the moment...

Either someone has a huge scoop or someone is being tardy loady the 388 into the schedule.

Speaking of QF and 388's ... There might be a QF388 movment from VCV to LAX on 10 December LAX time. Not sure of the rego at the moment.

Heard -OQK is the next mothballed A380 to ferry VCV-LAX & then continue on LAX-AUH where it will enter heavy mx in January.


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FL420FT wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Qantas moves forward A380 flights to LHR to July 22

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ts-in-july

Just did a search through the QF website from 01 to 07 Auguest, all I can see is 789's at the moment...

Either someone has a huge scoop or someone is being tardy loady the 388 into the schedule.

Speaking of QF and 388's ... There might be a QF388 movment from VCV to LAX on 10 December LAX time. Not sure of the rego at the moment.

I'd say this is another scoop, ET like its predecessor AusBT does get a lot of those across a lot of airlines. QF has confirmed this in the article. "Qantas tells Executive Traveller that it's currently working towards the July 2022 timeline and bringing more A380s out of hibernation."

Any news on QF's modifications of the A332's for BNE-LAX/SFO?

QLD state border comes down at 1am on Monday 13th.

Wonder whether Qantas will increase the flight from SYD to BNE from 13th Dec.

Right now there’s only 3 flights on the day and I expect the demand to outweigh the supply.

x1234 wrote:

Any news on QF's modifications of the A332's for BNE-LAX/SFO?

Hi.

The A332L aircraft (EBM-EBS and EBV) have had a MTOW increase to 238t. Interestingly only EBM required actual modifications to accomodate this increase. The others were all delivered with the capability.

The above aircraft have also been approved for 240 minute ETDO, and variable speed ETDO calculations which will allow more efficient routes to be panned.

x1234 wrote:

Any news on QF's modifications of the A332's for BNE-LAX/SFO?

Saw some tweets from people saying their BNE-LAX or BNE-SFO A332 flights had been cancelled, now they're pushed back to a later date with B789s, wonder if Qantas decided it wasn't worth the cost of modifying those A332s based on the short time before the 789s could come onto the routes?

qf789 wrote:

First SYD-ADL-DEL flight is operating today, EBV operating the flight

https://twitter.com/livefromalounge/sta ... 78945?s=21

Oh I thought it was SYD-DRW-DEL, and MEL-ADL-DEL. Do the crew change out on the domestic ports?

CraigAnderson wrote:

x1234 wrote:

Any news on QF's modifications of the A332's for BNE-LAX/SFO?

Saw some tweets from people saying their BNE-LAX or BNE-SFO A332 flights had been cancelled, now they're pushed back to a later date with B789s, wonder if Qantas decided it wasn't worth the cost of modifying those A332s based on the short time before the 789s could come onto the routes?

I think it was soft demand that pushed it back rather than anything technical.

This is the A332 MTOW increase status:

QF now have a couple of aircraft with the increased MTOW of 238T. The remainder of the -200s slated for international flying should be completed in the next few weeks.

This is why SYD-DEL is now going via ADL.

log0008 wrote:

This is the A332 MTOW increase status:

QF now have a couple of aircraft with the increased MTOW of 238T. The remainder of the -200s slated for international flying should be completed in the next few weeks.

This is why SYD-DEL is now going via ADL.

So far, only Melbourne-Delhi is going nonstop from S22. Sydney-Delhi has not been loaded beyond S22.

log0008 wrote:

This is the A332 MTOW increase status:

QF now have a couple of aircraft with the increased MTOW of 238T. The remainder of the -200s slated for international flying should be completed in the next few weeks.

This is why SYD-DEL is now going via ADL.

I am guessing one of the A330-200s with the increased MTOW is VH-EBS, as I just heard it fly over my place on a freight run QF93 MEL - LAX.

Is the A332 on MEL-LAX today full of passengers or is it freight only? Should be passengers as its QF93.

- Qantas expects to reach 115% of pre-pandemic domestic capacity by April, Jetstar 120%
- Remained on track to decide by the end of the year on a preferred supplier for more than 100 planes to replace its ageing domestic fleet.
- In the international market, it will take far longer to recover to pre-COVID levels, though Qantas will bring back some of its A380 super-jumbo planes for flights from Sydney to London and New York from next July.



https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 021-12-06/

log0008 wrote:

- Qantas expects to reach 115% of pre-pandemic domestic capacity by April, Jetstar 120%
- Remained on track to decide by the end of the year on a preferred supplier for more than 100 planes to replace its ageing domestic fleet.
- In the international market, it will take far longer to recover to pre-COVID levels, though Qantas will bring back some of its A380 super-jumbo planes for flights from Sydney to London and New York from next July.



https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 021-12-06/

Surely a 380 won’t be sent to JFK even via LAX, and this is misreporting?

Really excited to hear about the narrow body replacement first decent fleet announcement in a while in AU!

Interesting around the 330s being converted to freighters, and being replaced by more efficient schedules, makes sense if Asian flying takes a while to return or is replaced longer term by 321s. Wonder if the 767 will stay flying, or will eventually be replaced by a third 330.

smi0006 wrote:

log0008 wrote:

- Qantas expects to reach 115% of pre-pandemic domestic capacity by April, Jetstar 120%
- Remained on track to decide by the end of the year on a preferred supplier for more than 100 planes to replace its ageing domestic fleet.
- In the international market, it will take far longer to recover to pre-COVID levels, though Qantas will bring back some of its A380 super-jumbo planes for flights from Sydney to London and New York from next July.



https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 021-12-06/

Surely a 380 won’t be sent to JFK even via LAX, and this is misreporting?

Really excited to hear about the narrow body replacement first decent fleet announcement in a while in AU!

Interesting around the 330s being converted to freighters, and being replaced by more efficient schedules, makes sense if Asian flying takes a while to return or is replaced longer term by 321s. Wonder if the 767 will stay flying, or will eventually be replaced by a third 330.

Agreed re JFK. I suspect LAX-JFK will be the A330 from BNE or 787 from MEL.

A330 cargo conversion is interesting. Coupled with A321 freighters, I doubt we will see many A330s carrying passengers to PER going forward. Once WA is open, I wouldn’t be shocked if QF is almost all 737, with JQ going 2-3 daily for the price conscious passengers squeezed out by Qantas limiting supply. I looked at flights from PER to BNE and SYD for the second half of 2022, and VA are hundreds of dollars cheaper than QF on both routes. Sure VA is now Jetstar-plus, whereas before Covid their trans con product matched Qantas (and was arguably better), but clearly QF intend to charge premium fares on trans con and are not interested in volume.

RyanairGuru wrote:

smi0006 wrote:

log0008 wrote:

- Qantas expects to reach 115% of pre-pandemic domestic capacity by April, Jetstar 120%
- Remained on track to decide by the end of the year on a preferred supplier for more than 100 planes to replace its ageing domestic fleet.
- In the international market, it will take far longer to recover to pre-COVID levels, though Qantas will bring back some of its A380 super-jumbo planes for flights from Sydney to London and New York from next July.



https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 021-12-06/

Surely a 380 won’t be sent to JFK even via LAX, and this is misreporting?

Really excited to hear about the narrow body replacement first decent fleet announcement in a while in AU!

Interesting around the 330s being converted to freighters, and being replaced by more efficient schedules, makes sense if Asian flying takes a while to return or is replaced longer term by 321s. Wonder if the 767 will stay flying, or will eventually be replaced by a third 330.

Agreed re JFK. I suspect LAX-JFK will be the A330 from BNE or 787 from MEL.

A330 cargo conversion is interesting. Coupled with A321 freighters, I doubt we will see many A330s carrying passengers to PER going forward. Once WA is open, I wouldn’t be shocked if QF is almost all 737, with JQ going 2-3 daily for the price conscious passengers squeezed out by Qantas limiting supply. I looked at flights from PER to BNE and SYD for the second half of 2022, and VA are hundreds of dollars cheaper than QF on both routes. Sure VA is now Jetstar-plus, whereas before Covid their trans con product matched Qantas (and was arguably better), but clearly QF intend to charge premium fares on trans con and are not interested in volume.

There are lots of A330s loaded into the schedules next year on transcon (SYD and MEL). One of the reasons QF can charge a premium over VA is the better product, particularly in business on the A330s, they also haul a lot of freight. QF are running lots of freight only A330s currently. There are going to be 28 A330s to occupy, where else are the A330s going to go? Trans-tasman is out, lots of Asian routes are unknown or not coming back in any strength for a long time (HKG even SIN). I think we'll see more of them of domestic routes, PER, CNS, DRW.

jrfspa320 wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

smi0006 wrote:

Surely a 380 won’t be sent to JFK even via LAX, and this is misreporting?

Really excited to hear about the narrow body replacement first decent fleet announcement in a while in AU!

Interesting around the 330s being converted to freighters, and being replaced by more efficient schedules, makes sense if Asian flying takes a while to return or is replaced longer term by 321s. Wonder if the 767 will stay flying, or will eventually be replaced by a third 330.

Agreed re JFK. I suspect LAX-JFK will be the A330 from BNE or 787 from MEL.

A330 cargo conversion is interesting. Coupled with A321 freighters, I doubt we will see many A330s carrying passengers to PER going forward. Once WA is open, I wouldn’t be shocked if QF is almost all 737, with JQ going 2-3 daily for the price conscious passengers squeezed out by Qantas limiting supply. I looked at flights from PER to BNE and SYD for the second half of 2022, and VA are hundreds of dollars cheaper than QF on both routes. Sure VA is now Jetstar-plus, whereas before Covid their trans con product matched Qantas (and was arguably better), but clearly QF intend to charge premium fares on trans con and are not interested in volume.

There are lots of A330s loaded into the schedules next year on transcon (SYD and MEL). One of the reasons QF can charge a premium over VA is the better product, particularly in business on the A330s, they also haul a lot of freight. QF are running lots of freight only A330s currently. There are going to be 28 A330s to occupy, where else are the A330s going to go? Trans-tasman is out, lots of Asian routes are unknown or not coming back in any strength for a long time (HKG even SIN). I think we'll see more of them of domestic routes, PER, CNS, DRW.

Schedules beyond March at this stage aren’t worth anything, and even closer in there is a lot of uncertainty.

The only time where a flat bed is needed on a four hour flight is a red eye. A recliner is sufficient for most passengers on a relatively short daylight flight, and when no competitor is offering a superior product there is no incentive for Qantas to offer anything better. Before VA came along, QF were flying 767s and A330s with 7 abreast business class. One A330 turn per day, departing the east coast at about 19:00 to collect business travellers at the end of the work day, and turning around for a red eye back, would be sufficient as a ‘premium’ differentiator in the market.

99 times out of 100 Qantas only use the VZx and XZx 737s on trans cons. AVOD is therefore being a point of difference from VA. For economy class passengers the product is arguably better than the ‘domestic’ A330s and comparable to the A330s with AVOD.

I would be pleasantly surprised to be wrong, but with cargo increasingly being carried by dedicated freighters I don’t see the need for Qantas to continue with as many A330 flights to PER as they had before Covid.

qf789 wrote:

Qantas to convert 2 A330’s into freighters by 2023, one to be used domestically and the other internationally

https://www.9news.com.au/national/qanta ... 1acbf83da3

Wouldn’t be difficult to workout which A332’s are going to be retired and converted P2F’s.


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x1234 wrote:

Is the A332 on MEL-LAX today full of passengers or is it freight only? Should be passengers as its QF93.

The QF93 has been a dedicated freighter throughout the pandemic, however with the borders open QF93 freighter and passenger services operate on alternate days to the QF11 SYD-LAX.


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EK413 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Qantas to convert 2 A330’s into freighters by 2023, one to be used domestically and the other internationally

https://www.9news.com.au/national/qanta ... 1acbf83da3

Wouldn’t be difficult to workout which A332’s are going to be retired and converted P2F’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are they definitely converting A332’s and not an A333?

Cheers

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

EK413 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Qantas to convert 2 A330’s into freighters by 2023, one to be used domestically and the other internationally

https://www.9news.com.au/national/qanta ... 1acbf83da3

Wouldn’t be difficult to workout which A332’s are going to be retired and converted P2F’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are they definitely converting A332’s and not an A333?

Cheers

The article doesn’t specify these P2F’s will be -200’s or -300’s however money is on -200’s with EBA throughout the pandemic operating dedicated freighter service and -EBB hasn’t seen any action whilst the -300’s have been operating international freighters services MEL-BNE-HKG, MEL-SYD-PVG, MEL-PER-SIN, MEL-BKK, BNE-CNS-HKG, MEL-SYD-NRT.


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The Qantas press release doesn't even specify -200 or -300, just says A330, but a footnote says "The Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be able to carry can carry up to 50 tonnes of freight" so I would take that as confirmation the conversions will be A330-200s.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... ce-demand/

EK413 wrote:

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

EK413 wrote:

Wouldn’t be difficult to workout which A332’s are going to be retired and converted P2F’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are they definitely converting A332’s and not an A333?

Cheers

The article doesn’t specify these P2F’s will be -200’s or -300’s however money is on -200’s with EBA throughout the pandemic operating dedicated freighter service and -EBB hasn’t seen any action whilst the -300’s have been operating international freighters services MEL-BNE-HKG, MEL-SYD-PVG, MEL-PER-SIN, MEL-BKK, BNE-CNS-HKG, MEL-SYD-NRT.


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It didn’t mention but I am quite sure it will be A332s, I would agree EBA and EBB or some of those older ones which won’t be worth as much to on sell, they aren’t as capable as the newer ones but I think we are talking Asia flying and domestic so capabilities isn’t so important.

CraigAnderson wrote:

The Qantas press release doesn't even specify -200 or -300, just says A330, but a footnote says "The Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be able to carry can carry up to 50 tonnes of freight" so I would take that as confirmation the conversions will be A330-200s.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... ce-demand/

The A330-200 makes far more sense than the A330-300 as a freighter, mostly because the MTOWs are the same (at least conceptually, the -200s and -300s both have a 242t MTOW). The 10t higher OEW of the -300 (because it's bigger) limits the weight payload by the same. So while the -300 has a much bigger volume capacity, this might be moot due to the weight limits. So unless the cargo is consistently large in volume but light by weight, the A330-200 is likely more efficient as a freighter.

The two A330-200s being converted are EBE and EBF. Funny how I was singled out on this upcoming announcement in the November thread.

ASOSpotter wrote:

The two A330-200s being converted are EBE and EBF. Funny how I was singled out on this upcoming announcement in the November thread.

Interesting, both being mid-2007 deliveries.

EBA-EBD are considerably older than these two, being late 2002/ early 2003 deliveries, with the 333s arriving 2003-2006.

Does anyone know what a Silkway 747-8F is doing at MEL atm? Also any idea when it is scheduled to depart again? Couldn’t find anything myself

moa999 wrote:

ASOSpotter wrote:

The two A330-200s being converted are EBE and EBF. Funny how I was singled out on this upcoming announcement in the November thread.

Interesting, both being mid-2007 deliveries.

EBA-EBD are considerably older than these two, being late 2002/ early 2003 deliveries, with the 333s arriving 2003-2006.

From memory, there was an issue with the installed floor strength on the first A332s which were initially known as the Cityflyer fleet. It is possible that the same issue will limit these older birds' ability to be converted to freighters.

tullamarine wrote:

moa999 wrote:

ASOSpotter wrote:

The two A330-200s being converted are EBE and EBF. Funny how I was singled out on this upcoming announcement in the November thread.

Interesting, both being mid-2007 deliveries.

EBA-EBD are considerably older than these two, being late 2002/ early 2003 deliveries, with the 333s arriving 2003-2006.

From memory, there was an issue with the installed floor strength on the first A332s which were initially known as the Cityflyer fleet. It is possible that the same issue will limit these older birds' ability to be converted to freighters.

But weren't those rumours about not being able to install Business Suites.. which ultimately did get installed in all the 332s and 333s.

moa999 wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

moa999 wrote:

Interesting, both being mid-2007 deliveries.

EBA-EBD are considerably older than these two, being late 2002/ early 2003 deliveries, with the 333s arriving 2003-2006.

From memory, there was an issue with the installed floor strength on the first A332s which were initially known as the Cityflyer fleet. It is possible that the same issue will limit these older birds' ability to be converted to freighters.

But weren't those rumours about not being able to install Business Suites.. which ultimately did get installed in all the 332s and 333s.

Yes, -200’s EBA,B,C & D which had the lighter floor option and as a result QF couldn’t install the outdated Skybeds.


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Randomly there is a QFLink 717 parked at international today parked next to UA… is this off to NLK? Must be a first having a 717 at international.

So Bonza will be selling purple budgie smugglers with its thumbs-up logo onboard its planes. Definitely going for the Bogan market.

A350OZ wrote:

Does anyone know what a Silkway 747-8F is doing at MEL atm? Also any idea when it is scheduled to depart again? Couldn’t find anything myself

Flew in from HNL on Monday afternoon, watched it come in over the CBD, was quite a stunning sight. Have never seen them here before, but I did find a photo in the database from October, so it has happened.

Qantas new route coming very shortly - New country

Something has to give with REx and Bonza. Bonza has just announced that it plans to increase its fleet to 8 over 2022 which would make it the same size as REx's jet operation. Both seem to be chasing market share that doesn't really exist given QF/JQ and VA are all planning to be at least pre-Covid size in their domestic business by early next year.

REx and Bonza both appear to be relying on favourable deals from airports to lower their cost base (the Ryanair model) but Australia isn't the US or Europe so alternative jet capable airports close to major cities don't exist except in Melbourne where AVV presents a low cost opportunity. Major airports will be loathe to offer the new entrants special deals fully aware that doing so will mean both VA and QF will be banging on the airport CEOs' doors after similar or better pricing.

REx is already struggling for pax despite selling way below what their business case had assumed. Bonza is targetting an even lower cost model with a ULCC product which may be successful but it appears QF will target JQ onto Bonza routes fairly aggressively. Obviously, the ACCC will need to be watching closely to make sure QF/JQ aren't being predatory but the risks to Bonza are very obvious.

It will come down to who has the deeper pockets. QF and VA both have established franchises and can generate good yield across their planes by virtue of being able to sell to business customers who require frequency just as much as price. REx doesn't offer anything not offered by the incumbents so can only compete on price; this is not a recipe for success. Bonza is an unknown but Australians haven't taken to ULCCs like Europe (Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz) or US (Spirit) with Tiger and Jetstar both copping consistent criticism even though a loss of flexibility and service standards was the obvious quid pro quo that came with flying on a low cost carrier.

Personally, I see REx's business model as fatally flawed. It was based on VA not emerging from administration and trying to do a DJ which became viable by filling the void left by AN. As soon as it became clear that VA would survive and be able to shed massive liabilities along the way, REx should have retreated and abandoned its plans. I cannot see how it can reasonably grow. Bonza may have more of a chance given it is, at least, trying something different but its risk profile remains significant and the risk of failure immense.

"If you want to be a millionaire, start with a billion dollars and launch a new airline."
Richard Branson

Virgin Australia is now rethinking its return to long-haul flying. Previously the company line has always been that it will resume long-haul flying when the time is right, demand returns etc, but here is what Jayne Hrdlicka said at the CAPA conference this morning:

"Whether we go back in with long-haul flying ourselves is an open question," Hrdlicka said, "but if not, we will work with partners" such as ANA and Delta to serve those markets.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ate-flyers

So Virgin returning to LAX has gone from being 'when' to being 'if'.

log0008 wrote:

Qantas new route coming very shortly - New country

Thats good! id guess Pacific or more likely Asia........ ICN, KUL or HAN....?

CraigAnderson wrote:

Virgin Australia is now rethinking its return to long-haul flying. Previously the company line has always been that it will resume long-haul flying when the time is right, demand returns etc, but here is what Jayne Hrdlicka said at the CAPA conference this morning:

"Whether we go back in with long-haul flying ourselves is an open question," Hrdlicka said, "but if not, we will work with partners" such as ANA and Delta to serve those markets.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... ate-flyers

So Virgin returning to LAX has gone from being 'when' to being 'if'.

If the business case doesn't stack up, you walk away and do something else. That sounds like a commonsense approach. Long haul travel remains the most risky and most damaged by the pandemic and it is definitely not VA's core business which is its potentially super profitable domestic franchise.

Bain is being very disciplined in how it is managing VA. It is not trying to be all things to all people and, instead, has reverted to something closer to the original DJ model of offering a consistent and known product at a value price. The strategy is not without risks as it remains susceptible from a scissor attack from QF above and JQ below but, well executed and with stringent cost management, it can generate significant profits.

VA would also benefit from taking the Alaska (pre-Oneworld) approach of picking their own partners should they decide not to return to International Long Haul for the foreseeable future. At least make some attempt to try to cover the globe with the bespoke approach as opposed JB's half-hearted attempt.

There would also be currently no benefit from them joining 'any' Full Service Alliance at this time, taking the historical issues into consideration from their former partners (and their former partner's allies), despite the changes in CEOs since then, and would likely to add very little to nothing to the bottom line.

Edit: JH is also on record singling out DL a number of times in interviews, which would also not please certain carriers at rival alliances.

A350OZ wrote:

Does anyone know what a Silkway 747-8F is doing at MEL atm? Also any idea when it is scheduled to depart again? Couldn’t find anything myself

You'll see more of it too. More flights are being scheduled as well.

It was ment to depart yesterday but got delayed so at this stage who knows.

SCFlyer wrote:

VA would also benefit from taking the Alaska (pre-Oneworld) approach of picking their own partners should they decide not to return to International Long Haul for the foreseeable future. At least make some attempt to try to cover the globe with the bespoke approach as opposed JB's half-hearted attempt.

There would also be currently no benefit from them joining 'any' Full Service Alliance at this time, taking the historical issues into consideration from their former partners (and their former partner's allies), despite the changes in CEOs since then, and would likely to add very little to nothing to the bottom line.

Edit: JH is also on record singling out DL a number of times in interviews, which would also not please certain carriers at rival alliances.

VA has never given any indication of seriously considering joining an alliance and this is unlikely to change. Alliances are expensive to join with questionable returns which is why alliance membership has stagnated over the past 20 years. Even alliance members are "marrying-out" in recent years with bilateral alliances established like QF/EK, QF/KL, QF/NZ, SQ/GA and NZ/CX.

Apart from the ego-driven break-up with NZ, VA has maintained its stable of bilateral partners over the past decade with none of them expressing any concern about potential conflicts due to partnerships with airlines from other camps.

Good news from Alliance today with approval granted for a new 10,000sqm maintenance base to be built at ROK. This will mean all maintenance on Fokkers and E190s currently done overseas will be able to be completed onshore from 2023. To win the business, I am sure the Qld Government and Rockhampton councils have both given significant incentives to Alliance meaning it is funding the project without the need for additional capital or borrowings.
https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20211208/pdf/453y3zqd26g2hg.pdf