Australian Aviation Thread Part 117

81819 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:02 am

If I remember correctly Avalon and Jetstar were actively being implemented before Ansett collapsed! Any negotiations with QANTAS using Avalon after the collapse of Ansett would have been supplementary to the initial planning!

qf2220 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:08 am

Quoting qf789 (Reply 148):
The ALPA aren't happy with the new cockpit rules

I really am surprised with the reaction here, this is just common sense for many more reasons than monitoring for insane pilots. What about heart attacks or other medical conditions that don't lead to deliberate actions?

Quoting qf789 (Reply 148):
He said there was a risk the new regulations could create greater exposure of the cockpit, given that the door was likely to be opened more often.

This only works if the regulations act to increase the number of times the door is opened, which I doubt will happen.

zkokq · Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:30 am

Quoting qf789 (Reply 148):

I dont get it, how will the door be open any more times? Its one for one, instead of one for none.

QF175 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:38 am

REGIONAL EXPRESS (REX)

Rex today commenced Saab 340 services from Cairns to Bamaga. The airline also announced that it will commence services from Cairns to Mount Isa from 25 May 2015. Airfares are already on sale for the new service, schedule is as follows:

CNS/ISA 0630/0835 ZL5361 SF3 1345
ISA/CNS 1830/2030 ZL5382 SF3 1345

As part of the new route announcement Rex announced that it will open a new crew base in Cairns and will initially base 2 aircraft at the port.

Of most interest Rex also announced that it has entered at agreement to purchase Townsville-based AVIEX:

Quote:
"The expansion of Rex services from Cairns on the back of the regulated routes of North Queensland has resulted in Rex investing heavily in infrastructural support in far North Queensland. Rex will open a new crew base in Cairns and has also entered into an agreement to purchase the MRO company AVIEX from 1 July 2015. AVIEX is a significant engineering facility with about 5,500 sqm. of hangar space and has vast and versatile engineering capabilities to service and maintain the Saab 340, ATR 42/72, Dash 8 series including Q400, Metroliners, KingAir 200/350 and other aircraft types operated by Rex and other airlines."

Continues...

Source - Rex expands Cairns Air Services

With the commencement of Bamaga services today and the announcement of Cairns - Mount Isa services from May, the Rex route map appears as follows:

Rex - Network Map

QF175 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:39 am

MALAYSIA AIRLINES - DARWIN

From 22 April 2015 Malaysia Airlines will reduce its Kuala Lumpur - Darwin flights from four to three times weekly. All services will continue to be operated by the airline's fleet of 737-800s:

Source - Airlineroute.net

KOREAN AIRLINES - BRISBANE & SYDNEY

From 2 April 2015 Korean Airlines will begin operating its new A330-300s on the Seoul - Brisbane and Sydney routes. The new aircraft come equipped with the airline's new Prestige Suites in Business Class:

Source - Travel Daily Asia

New configuration = 6 First / 18 Business / 248 Economy

From this:

To this:

Source - Korean Airlines - Fleet

JETSTAR

This week marks a busy week for Jetstar with a number of new routes / route resumptions:

1) Cairns - Denpasar / Bali

- Flights commenced yesterday, Sunday 29 March 2015
- New route for Jetstar
- Flights operated by A320 aircraft

2) Gold Coast - Perth

- Flights commenced yesterday, Sunday 29 March 2015
- Route resumption for Jetstar
- Flights operated by A320 aircraft

3) Gold Coast - Nadi (Fiji)

- Flights commence tomorrow, Tuesday 31 March 2015
- New route for Jetstar (Fiji Airways / Air Pacific previously operated this route)
- Flights operated by A320 aircraft

4) Melbourne - Wellington

- Flights commenced today, Monday 30 March 2015
- New route for Jetstar
- Flights operated by A320 aircraft

Sydscott · Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:35 am

Quoting timtam (Reply 126):
Now if they were granted the power to break up/address existing monopolies like in the US it would give them a bit more clout.

The ACCC does have the power to force companies to divest assets and / or if the company is dominant enough, like Telstra's wires, to force regulation upon them.

Quoting QF2220 (Reply 151):
I really am surprised with the reaction here, this is just common sense for many more reasons than monitoring for insane pilots. What about heart attacks or other medical conditions that don't lead to deliberate actions?

I'm not sure but I think what ALPA Is saying is wait for the accident report to come out before doing something. That would normally be the proper process but with the attention this crash has gotten and, I guess, the shock factor of it politically the Govt had to do something. The Qantas PR machine clearly anticipated this would be happening and had a pretty well worded response ready when it did.

Quoting QF2220 (Reply 151):
This only works if the regulations act to increase the number of times the door is opened, which I doubt will happen.

I can't see how this will do that either. All it means is that as 1 person steps out another steps in. The door might be open slightly longer but not more times.

Quoting QF175 (Reply 154):
JETSTAR

This week marks a busy week for Jetstar with a number of new routes / route resumptions:

Busy day for Jetstar increasing utilisation. With the mining boom now off it'll be interesting to see how they go on CNS-DPS and OOL-NAN.

qf2220 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:50 am

Quoting sydscott (Reply 155):
I'm not sure but I think what ALPA Is saying is wait for the accident report to come out before doing something.

I am usually the same but when you have many officials out in the press saying what happened, I think we know what happened. Waiting for the formal report when this is the case may be seen as dangerous by some. If nothing else, this is just an added precation in the system, and it is already being done elsewhere in the industry anyway, both via legislation (USA) and voluntarily, eg BA, Ryanair.

qf002 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:01 am

Quoting qf789 (Reply 148):
The ALPA aren't happy with the new cockpit rules

Which is exactly why QF waited for the government to do something about it rather than doing it themselves.

This is something that the pilots should be welcoming. To try and fight against it just helps prove that such a policy is necessary IMO (because a pilot who thinks they/the system is infallible should not be flying a commercial jet full of people!).

a320fan · Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:38 am

Quoting QF175 (Reply 153):
CNS/ISA 0630/0835 ZL5361 SF3 1345
ISA/CNS 1830/2030 ZL5382 SF3 1345

Surely they are not having an aircraft sit in ISA for 10 hours?

Ditzyboy · Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:35 pm

Quoting A320fan (Reply 158):

It looks as if the CNS-ISA schedule is tied largely to the Gulf schedule (in a similar fashion to the Skytrans operation).

DeltaB717 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:36 pm

Quoting QF175 (Reply 149):

That's definitely new, I was looking at them late last week and the OOL was still there. Suspension of OOL was a long time coming in my opinion, but good to see ISA didn't lose out as a result. Way to go TL!

qf2220 · Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:51 pm

Quoting qf002 (Reply 157):
This is something that the pilots should be welcoming. To try and fight against it just helps prove that such a policy is necessary IMO (because a pilot who thinks they/the system is infallible should not be flying a commercial jet full of people!).

Unclekoru · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:06 am

Quoting qf002 (Reply 157):
Quoting qf789 (Reply 148):
The ALPA aren't happy with the new cockpit rules

Which is exactly why QF waited for the government to do something about it rather than doing it themselves.

This is something that the pilots should be welcoming. To try and fight against it just helps prove that such a policy is necessary IMO (because a pilot who thinks they/the system is infallible should not be flying a commercial jet full of people!).

I'm not sure that's a correct interpretation of their position, rather they don't believe the proposed change will be effective in preventing a similar event in the future and the the change in policy introduces new risks to the operation (albeit small).

mariner · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:11 am

Quoting Unclekoru (Reply 162):
I'm not sure that's a correct interpretation of their position, rather they don't believe the proposed change will be effective in preventing a similar event in the future and the the change in policy introduces new risks to the operation (albeit small).

I don't think this is about the pilots. I think it's more about the peace of mind of the flying public.

mariner

Unclekoru · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:16 am

Quoting mariner (Reply 163):
Quoting Unclekoru (Reply 162):
I'm not sure that's a correct interpretation of their position, rather they don't believe the proposed change will be effective in preventing a similar event in the future and the the change in policy introduces new risks to the operation (albeit small).

I don't think this is about the pilots. I think it's more about the peace of mind of the flying public.

mariner

Yes, I think you're quite right.

ElanusNotatus · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:19 am

More news of delays at PER.

Once again the opening of the new Virgin domestic terminal has been put back. John Borghetti is reported to be "frustrated" as the terminal was meant to be completed in June of last year. Then it was to be ready by "early 2015" and finally June this year. Now airport CEO Brad Geatches has confirmed that it won't be ready in time, making life harder for Virgin, which operates out of two terminals on opposite sides of the airport.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/26870318/virgin-airport-plans-stall-again/

777Jet · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:45 am

Quoting qf789 (Reply 148):
He said there was a risk the new regulations could create greater exposure of the cockpit, given that the door was likely to be opened more often.

Is the person who said that an idiot? How will these new regs result in the door being 'opened' more often?

A pilot steps out to use the lav and a FA steps in. When the pilot returns the FA steps out. Simple.

The door will need to remain open for a few seconds longer each time it is opened as the extra person passes through but I can't see how these new regs will result in the door being opened more often.

Quoting zkokq (Reply 152):
I dont get it, how will the door be open any more times? Its one for one, instead of one for none.

Exactly.

Can't say I'm surprised that union thugs use a strawman argument when they can't find any real reason to object...

tullamarine · Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:15 am

Quoting ElanusNotatus (Reply 165):
Once again the opening of the new Virgin domestic terminal has been put back. John Borghetti is reported to be "frustrated" as the terminal was meant to be completed in June of last year. Then it was to be ready by "early 2015" and finally June this year. Now airport CEO Brad Geatches has confirmed that it won't be ready in time, making life harder for Virgin, which operates out of two terminals on opposite sides of the airport.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/26870318/virgin-airport-plans-stall-again/

The project management of this project by Perth Airport has been appalling. VA (and by extension QF) have been mucked around for too long. You would hope that there were some liquidated damaged available to them given the extra costs incurred through no fault of their own.

eta unknown · Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:40 am

Evil rumour circulating among the agent trade about HA's BNE flights... now badly affected by lower AUD and Jetstar.

777Jet · Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:50 am

Quoting eta unknown (Reply 168):
Evil rumour circulating among the agent trade about HA's BNE flights... now badly affected by lower AUD and Jetstar.

If the said evil rumour is true I would not be surprised at all...

TruemanQLD · Tue Mar 31, 2015 4:34 am

Quoting QF175 (Reply 153):
With the commencement of Bamaga services today and the announcement of Cairns - Mount Isa services from May, the Rex route map appears as follows:

Rapid expansion in Queensland in 2015, have they got additional aircraft to do this or is this using existing capacity? Now a BNE-BHQ service please just to join the whole network up

Quoting eta unknown (Reply 168):

Evil rumour circulating among the agent trade about HA's BNE flights... now badly affected by lower AUD and Jetstar.

Loads have been terribly low for some flights in Feb/March. Wouldnt be overly surprising if they did cut back / pull out. Will be a shame to see them go, they have just switched ground handlers from Dnata to Qantas, only last week.

byronicle6 · Tue Mar 31, 2015 5:01 am

Quoting TruemanQLD (Reply 170):

Evil rumour circulating among the agent trade about HA's BNE flights... now badly affected by lower AUD and Jetstar.

Loads have been terribly low for some flights in Feb/March. Wouldnt be overly surprising if they did cut back / pull out. Will be a shame to see them go, they have just switched ground handlers from Dnata to Qantas, only last week.

Didn't HA only recently add an extra weekly frequency and up gauge from 767 to A330 on BNE-HNL?

RyanairGuru · Tue Mar 31, 2015 5:53 am

Quoting byronicle6 (Reply 171):

Yes. HA are adding capacity in BNE which makes me highly doubt the truth of that rumour. "Trade" rumours are just as bad as Galley FM.

qf789 · Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:07 am

Quoting ElanusNotatus (Reply 165):
More news of delays at PER.

Once again the opening of the new Virgin domestic terminal has been put back. John Borghetti is reported to be "frustrated" as the terminal was meant to be completed in June of last year. Then it was to be ready by "early 2015" and finally June this year. Now airport CEO Brad Geatches has confirmed that it won't be ready in time, making life harder for Virgin, which operates out of two terminals on opposite sides of the airport.

Can't say I'm surprised. ABT says the new delay stretches out to late 2015, then quotes the West Australian saying that it believes there will be a further delay. At this rate the Gateway Project will be finished before VA terminal is done.

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 167):

The project management of this project by Perth Airport has been appalling. VA (and by extension QF) have been mucked around for too long. You would hope that there were some liquidated damaged available to them given the extra costs incurred through no fault of their own.

Agreed. EK has also been stuffed around as they have had to put off bring in the A380.

eta unknown · Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:11 am

Yes but the upgauge and 4th flight were added when the AUD was much higher and just before JQ started the route.
Plus LAX flights on NZ/ VA can be had for under $1000 so there seems to now be a USA demand problem.

IndianicWorld · Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:16 am

Quoting eta unknown (Reply 174):
Yes but the upgauge and 4th flight were added when the AUD was much higher and just before JQ started the route.
Plus LAX flights on NZ/ VA can be had for under $1000 so there seems to now be a USA demand problem.

I think most saw this as a huge risk when so much capacity was added into BNE for HNL and LAX.

With JQ's entry into HNL and VA's increase to daily to LAX, BNE has certainly seen a sudden rush of capacity into the US, which will always affect yields anyway, The issue you raise is important too as demand has tapered off with the AUD's fall to where it is now. Its a double hit really.

I agree that industry rumours can be way off the mark, but I wouldn't be surprised if this came true either.

Thai77w · Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:42 am

RE: Hawaiian.

HA announced the upgauge from 767 to A330 before JQ announced its intention to fly the route (although it was rumoured.) and the 4th flight was because of strong demand and to also try kill off JQ before they started. As for the dollar I think everyone knew the dollar wasn't going to sit about 80-85c forever and would eventually drop.

I think Feb-Mar are quiet months for most airlines ex AU as you've just had Christmas/new year and easter is particularly early this year so families would likely travel over the easter break. April onwards it should be back to normal.

qf002 · Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:43 am

Quoting Unclekoru (Reply 162):
I'm not sure that's a correct interpretation of their position, rather they don't believe the proposed change will be effective in preventing a similar event in the future and the the change in policy introduces new risks to the operation (albeit small).

I understand their position (ridiculous as I may think it is).

My point is that I think it's a good basic policy to work by, regardless of what happened with the 4U flight or anything else. If "the door might be open more" and "we need more information" is the best that the ALPA can do then I don't see what the issue is from their perspective. Just being negative for the sake of being negative (or blinded by ego, but I think the vast majority of pilots are better than that).

Quoting mariner (Reply 163):
I don't think this is about the pilots. I think it's more about the peace of mind of the flying public.

One could argue that most of the safety equipment and procedures already in place are for peace of mind more than anything else.

mariner · Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:08 am

Quoting qf002 (Reply 177):
One could argue that most of the safety equipment and procedures already in place are for peace of mind more than anything else.

Perhaps one could argue that, and I can't see it as any bad thing. On this particular matter, I think the Americans got it right, and I am more than mildly surprised that so many other countries didn't follow suit, until now.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...-11e4-ab77-9646eea6a4c7_story.html

"According to the Air Line Pilots Association, every airline in the United States has a plan in place to guarantee that there is always more than one person in the cockpit.

“It’s just a common-sense issue,” said aviation security expert Glenn Winn. “If you have a two-person cockpit, you don’t leave them alone up there.”

Not for the first time in my life, I'm scratching my head about the Australian union position.

mariner

ben175 · Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:11 am

I'm sure HA's BNE loads will skyrocket back up to near-full around June/July when it's the winter break.

IndianicWorld · Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:57 am

^^ Relying solely on a couple of short peak periods is hardly going to be sustainable.

Making loses for most of the year in the face of decreasing loads and low yields will be a recipe for an exit sooner rather than later.

ben175 · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:25 pm

Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 180):
^^ Relying solely on a couple of short peak periods is hardly going to be sustainable.

Making loses for most of the year in the face of decreasing loads and low yields will be a recipe for an exit sooner rather than later.

Or, they could make the route seasonal.

The route clearly showed some promise if they upgraded it in the first place.

IndianicWorld · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:36 pm

^^ The seasonality of the route would appear to be peaked, making such an idea hard to do. Having a few peaks at different periods for short periods is not ideal from a cost or operational perspective.

bwwt · Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:38 pm

I don't see HA going anywhere. Maybe back down to it's original schedule if the rumour is true, but not gone. It is still often cheaper to fly via Sydney to get to HNL and JQ prices ex MEL & BNE are still usually the same.

joffie · Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:15 am

If anyone is interested QF94 (LAX-MEL) was operated by a 744 rather than the usual A380 which touched down this morning. Not quite sure how many QF 744's we see in MEL thesedays.

luftaom · Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:26 am

I think OQG has been on the ground in LHR with a technical issue for the last few days - so QF are short a 380 in their schedule at the moment (which doesn't have a huge amount of fat in it these days). .

luftaom · Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:35 am

Having said that - it now looks like OQG is operating QF2 at the moment so they must have rectified the problem.

vhebb · Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:49 am

MEL gets QF B744s 3x every week on the new QF95/96 service.

ZuluAlpha · Wed Apr 01, 2015 11:29 am

Quoting luftaom (Reply 185):
I think OQG has been on the ground in LHR with a technical issue for the last few days - so QF are short a 380 in their schedule at the moment (which doesn't have a huge amount of fat in it these days). .

OQG required an unscheduled engine change in LHR which caused it to be on the ground in LHR for 2 days. 744's were used to cover the non operational OQG.

Things are returning to normal, slowly with OQG now on it's way back to SYD as I type

qf789 · Wed Apr 01, 2015 3:32 pm

CZ started 788 flights todays. They also announced that from 16th July 2015 they will go from 3 weekly services to 4 per week.

http://australianaviation.com.au/201...h-and-plans-frequency-boost-to-wa/

ben175 · Wed Apr 01, 2015 11:15 pm

Perth is rapidly becoming a little 787 hub! The days of A330 domination seem to behind us now.

allrite · Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:18 am

Bit of controversy over Qantas lounge dress codes involving thongs (flip-flops for our US readers

), including leather types.

Quote:
Estelle Lucas, a sex worker who was travelling from Melbourne to Perth, where there is a science fiction convention on, said she was refused entry to the Qantas Club in Melbourne on Wednesday because she was wearing thongs.

I hope they aren't expecting women to wear heels when it comes to open toes shoes. For instance, who would want to wear heels for a long international flight or heading off on a holiday? Wonder if Birkenstocks are okay (not that I own any...). My reading of the rules is that they aren't too severe. The broader nature of modern air travel is such that you can't expect all those who are flying business or holding Qantas Club memberships to actually be travelling on business these days. Might not have any need for formal clothes at your destinations - just wasting luggage space.

[Edited 2015-04-01 19:31:15]

joffie · Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:28 am

Quoting vhebb (Reply 187):
EL gets QF B744s 3x every week on the new QF95/96 service.

Terrible 4:30AM arrival time.
Thanks. No idea this service existed.

Sydscott · Thu Apr 02, 2015 5:20 am

Quoting allrite (Reply 191):
I hope they aren't expecting women to wear heels when it comes to open toes shoes. For instance, who would want to wear heels for a long international flight or heading off on a holiday? Wonder if Birkenstocks are okay (not that I own any...). My reading of the rules is that they aren't too severe. The broader nature of modern air travel is such that you can't expect all those who are flying business or holding Qantas Club memberships to actually be travelling on business these days. Might not have any need for formal clothes at your destinations - just wasting luggage space.

The rules aren't too severe. It's just that people have gotten used to wearing whatever they want. Now, to get into the Club at least, you have to be dressed somewhat appropriately which is a good thing. Pity they can't enforce that on the plane........

In other news:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busi...n-ceo/story-e6frg95x-1227287947916

Jetstar Japan is getting a new Chairman and CEO after Miyuki Suzuki was poached by a larger multi-national.

qf789 · Thu Apr 02, 2015 5:49 am

Quoting ben175 (Reply 190):
Perth is rapidly becoming a little 787 hub! The days of A330 domination seem to behind us now.

This is simply not true. I would not refer Perth being a mini hub for the 787. Currently there are 22 787 landing in PER a week. NZ (7), TZ (5), CZ (3) and TG (7).

On the other hand there are 235 A330 landing in PER every week. QF (110), VA (58), SQ (14), D7 (14), EY (7), CX (10), MK (3), GA (7) and MH (12).

When it comes to widebodies the A330 will be dominating PER for sometime to come.

qf789 · Thu Apr 02, 2015 6:47 am

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of the QF/EK alliance

http://www.facebook.com/Qantas?fref=nf

CBRboy · Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:37 pm

Quoting joffie (Reply 192):
No idea this service existed.

QF95 has been operating since 21 January 2015.

Unclekoru · Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:45 pm

Quoting qf789 (Reply 194):
Quoting ben175 (Reply 190):
Perth is rapidly becoming a little 787 hub! The days of A330 domination seem to behind us now.

This is simply not true. I would not refer Perth being a mini hub for the 787. Currently there are 22 787 landing in PER a week. NZ (7), TZ (5), CZ (3) and TG (7).

On the other hand there are 235 A330 landing in PER every week. QF (110), VA (58), SQ (14), D7 (14), EY (7), CX (10), MK (3), GA (7) and MH (12).

When it comes to widebodies the A330 will be dominating PER for sometime to come.

And NZ has only 5 flights a week to Perth during a good chunk of winter.

QF175 · Fri Apr 03, 2015 11:47 pm

For the Fokker 70 fans out there, from 13 April 2015 Alliance Airlines (QQ) will begin offering the public seats on their closed charter services from Brisbane to Emerald. There will be three weekly flights on offer, Monday, Thursday and Friday and flights will be priced from $140 each way. Refer to the Alliance Airlines site per below:

Alliance Airlines - Timetable
Alliance Airlinea - Book

-

Virgin Australia today began the first of its A330-200 services to Nadi from Sydney, with VH-XFJ having the honours:

FlightAware - VH-XFJ

The airline will operate A330s on select Saturday services throughout the year. Certainly a good use of an aircraft that would otherwise be sitting on the ground doing nada!

777Jet · Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:26 am

Quoting QF175 (Reply 198):
Virgin Australia today began the first of its A330-200 services to Nadi from Sydney, with VH-XFJ having the honours:

Awesome!

Quoting QF175 (Reply 198):
The airline will operate A330s on select Saturday services throughout the year. Certainly a good use of an aircraft that would otherwise be sitting on the ground doing nada!

Good to see VA putting an aircraft to good use that would otherwise just be sitting around doing nothing, just like how QF uses an aircraft that would otherwise just be sitting around doing nothing to fly PER-AKL-PER once a week

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