Qantas16 wrote:

Source: http://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-ann ... -adelaide/

Great news for ADL, HBA and JQ. Good to see JQ starting to launch some new 'secondary' routes (like this and MCY-ADL)

Qantas16 wrote:

zkncj wrote:

What restrictions are there with MEB? Assuming that it couldn't take an A320/738 service?

If it could would an LCC be allow to operate from there, rather an AVV?

08/26 is 1921x45m which is more than enough to handle an A320/738 going domestically, however, it would require expanded terminal facilities and also increase the nightmare that is the MEL/MEB air traffic control area.

Add to that the political consequences, it's not going to happen.

vhebb wrote:

Does anyone else think that China is not the answer to VAs woes?

China is already a very well served market, and low yielding at times, hence why QF only fly daily to PVG and PEK. Its incredibly hard to compete with the local Chinese carriers.

Add to this HKG which has also come under a lot of pressure lately, QF stated a few months ago that yeilds on SYD-HKG have seen the biggest drop of all its International routes.

I cant see VA (with a similar cost base as QF) making these China/Hong Kong routes work.

Boof wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

Source: http://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-ann ... -adelaide/

Great news for ADL, HBA and JQ. Good to see JQ starting to launch some new 'secondary' routes (like this and MCY-ADL)

This is great news, and I agree that it is good to see JQ launch some secondary markets. When they flew the route last time it was 717's daily, when it went to A320's they should have cut it to 3x weekly and it may have held on but ultimately TT jumped on as well and cut it in half only for both to pull out. Interestingly VA (as DJ) had great success on this route with the 73G and flew it for quite a while before JQ started. Was a funny thing, went from nothing to 2 carriers and then back to nothing!

What is also interesting is how JQ are doing this. The flights are Tues, Thurs, Sat and the aircraft for this will operate MEL-HBA-ADL-HBA-MEL. While the ADL service is operating there will be an additional MEL-HBA-MEL service to maintain capacity between these cities. It is a very clever utilisation of aircraft. On the days that the ADL service isn't running there is the normal MEL-HBA-MEL x2.

Big question is will it be JQ that take up the HBA-AKL-HBA service that is rumoured? I'd hope that the AKL route is NZ as I think onward connections to and from HBA would be better suited by NZ's North and South America network, and open up some interesting one stop pacific island options for Tasmania. There is also been talk of HBA-PER-HBA as well and that would fit the 3x weekly profile that JQ are now carving out. Time will tell...

QF41 wrote:

Boof wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

Source: http://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-ann ... -adelaide/

Great news for ADL, HBA and JQ. Good to see JQ starting to launch some new 'secondary' routes (like this and MCY-ADL)

This is great news, and I agree that it is good to see JQ launch some secondary markets. When they flew the route last time it was 717's daily, when it went to A320's they should have cut it to 3x weekly and it may have held on but ultimately TT jumped on as well and cut it in half only for both to pull out. Interestingly VA (as DJ) had great success on this route with the 73G and flew it for quite a while before JQ started. Was a funny thing, went from nothing to 2 carriers and then back to nothing!

What is also interesting is how JQ are doing this. The flights are Tues, Thurs, Sat and the aircraft for this will operate MEL-HBA-ADL-HBA-MEL. While the ADL service is operating there will be an additional MEL-HBA-MEL service to maintain capacity between these cities. It is a very clever utilisation of aircraft. On the days that the ADL service isn't running there is the normal MEL-HBA-MEL x2.

Big question is will it be JQ that take up the HBA-AKL-HBA service that is rumoured? I'd hope that the AKL route is NZ as I think onward connections to and from HBA would be better suited by NZ's North and South America network, and open up some interesting one stop pacific island options for Tasmania. There is also been talk of HBA-PER-HBA as well and that would fit the 3x weekly profile that JQ are now carving out. Time will tell...

Great news. However on 9news Adelaide, it said that the route will be offered until March 2018. I cant find any links to confirm this.

Would love for Hobart to get links to NZ and a QF flight to perth i link up with the new direct flights to LHR.

QF41 wrote:

Boof wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

Source: http://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-ann ... -adelaide/

Great news for ADL, HBA and JQ. Good to see JQ starting to launch some new 'secondary' routes (like this and MCY-ADL)

This is great news, and I agree that it is good to see JQ launch some secondary markets. When they flew the route last time it was 717's daily, when it went to A320's they should have cut it to 3x weekly and it may have held on but ultimately TT jumped on as well and cut it in half only for both to pull out. Interestingly VA (as DJ) had great success on this route with the 73G and flew it for quite a while before JQ started. Was a funny thing, went from nothing to 2 carriers and then back to nothing!

What is also interesting is how JQ are doing this. The flights are Tues, Thurs, Sat and the aircraft for this will operate MEL-HBA-ADL-HBA-MEL. While the ADL service is operating there will be an additional MEL-HBA-MEL service to maintain capacity between these cities. It is a very clever utilisation of aircraft. On the days that the ADL service isn't running there is the normal MEL-HBA-MEL x2.

Big question is will it be JQ that take up the HBA-AKL-HBA service that is rumoured? I'd hope that the AKL route is NZ as I think onward connections to and from HBA would be better suited by NZ's North and South America network, and open up some interesting one stop pacific island options for Tasmania. There is also been talk of HBA-PER-HBA as well and that would fit the 3x weekly profile that JQ are now carving out. Time will tell...

Great news. However on 9news Adelaide, it said that the route will be offered until March 2018. I cant find any links to confirm this.

Would love for Hobart to get links to NZ and a QF flight to perth i link up with the new direct flights to LHR.

decry wrote:

What ever happened to Qantas' Hobart to Ningbo milk run? https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -to-china/

QF41 wrote:

decry wrote:

What ever happened to Qantas' Hobart to Ningbo milk run? https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -to-china/

Delayed for awhile i imagine.

http://www.themercury.com.au/business/r ... b9041c2afb

I could be wrong, however I dont think it can start until the runway extension at HBA is complete. At this stage it should be completed in early 2018.
I cant really see this venture lasting. But good luck to them.

vhebb wrote:

Add to this HKG which has also come under a lot of pressure lately, QF stated a few months ago that yeilds on SYD-HKG have seen the biggest drop of all its International routes.

I cant see VA (with a similar cost base as QF) making these China/Hong Kong routes work.

No A388 service on the cards for either SYD/MEL

skyhawkmatthew wrote:

VA is not really operating to Hong Kong to make profits for themselves. HNA Group is using VA as a vehicle (through codesharing with Hong Kong Airlines) to compete with CX and trash their yields on the lucrative Australia-HK-beyond markets. CX has used up all the bilateral frequencies to major cities from the HK end, so using VA is a convenient way around the restrictions for HKA.

xiaotung wrote:

skyhawkmatthew wrote:

VA is not really operating to Hong Kong to make profits for themselves. HNA Group is using VA as a vehicle (through codesharing with Hong Kong Airlines) to compete with CX and trash their yields on the lucrative Australia-HK-beyond markets. CX has used up all the bilateral frequencies to major cities from the HK end, so using VA is a convenient way around the restrictions for HKA.

Yes, but if the Chinese government forced HNA to dispose of their overseas assets (a real possibility), as China appears no longer tolerates HNA borrowing money with virtually no interest from state owned banks like crazy, what would be left for VA? There are plenty of articles online about HNA's ambiguous corporate structure. Just how far would HNA be writing cheques for VA is a big question. And how far would EY and SQ tolerate VA playing with their own money? It's popcorn time for Christopher Luxon.

tullamarine wrote:

Interesting to note that the choice to not fly the A380 to MEL and SYD was allegedly based on availability of A380 gates rather than ability to fill the aircraft.

qf789 wrote:

Let's see if this happens this time

TG BKK-MEL to go double daily A359 from 1 Feb 18

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air ... f-08aug17/

Bangkok – Melbourne TG461/462 operational aircraft changes
29OCT17 – 31JAN18 777-200ER replaces -300ER
eff 01FEB18 A350 replaces 777-200ER (Double daily A350 service from this date)

MooLor wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Let's see if this happens this time

TG BKK-MEL to go double daily A359 from 1 Feb 18

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air ... f-08aug17/

Bangkok – Melbourne TG461/462 operational aircraft changes
29OCT17 – 31JAN18 777-200ER replaces -300ER
eff 01FEB18 A350 replaces 777-200ER (Double daily A350 service from this date)

Odd they would downgauge one of the daily flights over the peak season. But it is TG.

A slight drop in capacity overall too - double daily 77W going to double daily A359 loses 54 seats per day - 20 J / 34 Y. That's surprising given the lack of competition on the route.

When does TG465 / 466 go A350? - that Routes Online entry is ambiguous. Both commence 1 Feb is it?

smi0006 wrote:

I'd be surprised to see a link to NZ unless the Tassie government pays for BorderForce and Biosecurity to be set up on a small scale. Be funny if it beat CBR to and NZ link!

qf789 wrote:

Todays EK409 MEL-DXB has taken the scenic route, most likely ETOPS restrictions, flight pushing just over 15 hours

vhebb wrote:

Does anyone else think that China is not the answer to VAs woes?

qf789 wrote:

Todays EK409 MEL-DXB has taken the scenic route, most likely ETOPS restrictions, flight pushing just over 15 hours



https://twitter.com/flightradar24/statu ... 6495527937

skyhawkmatthew wrote:

vhebb wrote:

HNA Group is using VA as a vehicle (through codesharing with Hong Kong Airlines) to compete with CX and trash their yields on the lucrative Australia-HK-beyond markets. CX has used up all the bilateral frequencies to major cities from the HK end, so using VA is a convenient way around the restrictions for HKA.

I was expressly told last year by a very senior industry figure that this venture was so that Chinese airlines could use Australian bi-lateral capacity to expand in Hong Kong. In fact by weird co-incidence the meeting took place in the same building (but not the same room) as JB's interview below!

decry wrote:

vhebb wrote:

Does anyone else think that China is not the answer to VAs woes?

Once upon a time JB didn't see the value in Virgin Australia having an asian strategy, doing a deal with an asian airline or flying there for that matter.

Tune in from 11.30 onwards...

https://centreforaviation.com/insights/ ... ine-199511

skyhawkmatthew wrote:

VA is not really operating to Hong Kong to make profits for themselves. HNA Group is using VA as a vehicle (through codesharing with Hong Kong Airlines) to compete with CX and trash their yields on the lucrative Australia-HK-beyond markets. CX has used up all the bilateral frequencies to major cities from the HK end, so using VA is a convenient way around the restrictions for HKA.

SYDSpotter wrote:

skyhawkmatthew wrote:

VA is not really operating to Hong Kong to make profits for themselves. HNA Group is using VA as a vehicle (through codesharing with Hong Kong Airlines) to compete with CX and trash their yields on the lucrative Australia-HK-beyond markets. CX has used up all the bilateral frequencies to major cities from the HK end, so using VA is a convenient way around the restrictions for HKA.

If that were the case you reckon SQ and EY have given their blessings? I don't think so...

HNA is not the only shareholder in VA, so VA is not their little toy who they can use to pursue their own strategic objectives. SQ and EY haven't been performing well in their own operations lately so I don't think they'd be open to VA running China ops just to "trash" CX's yields and further worsen VA's dire financial performance.

decry wrote:

vhebb wrote:

Does anyone else think that China is not the answer to VAs woes?

Once upon a time JB didn't see the value in Virgin Australia having an asian strategy, doing a deal with an asian airline or flying there for that matter.

Tune in from 11.30 onwards...

https://centreforaviation.com/insights/ ... ine-199511

QF29 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Todays EK409 MEL-DXB has taken the scenic route, most likely ETOPS restrictions, flight pushing just over 15 hours



https://twitter.com/flightradar24/statu ... 6495527937

ETOPS has never been an issue for 409. It did leave 40 Minutes late due to M/X.

qf789 wrote:

Todays EK409 MEL-DXB has taken the scenic route, most likely ETOPS restrictions, flight pushing just over 15 hours



https://twitter.com/flightradar24/statu ... 6495527937

angusjt wrote:

First QF Dash 8 has been repainted, VH-SBB has rolled out of the hangar, found a few photos on Instagram so I'm unsure if everyone will be able to view them, but it looks pretty neat.

https://instagram.com/p/BXfiRj3AOcl/

xiaotung wrote:

decry wrote:

vhebb wrote:

Does anyone else think that China is not the answer to VAs woes?

Once upon a time JB didn't see the value in Virgin Australia having an asian strategy, doing a deal with an asian airline or flying there for that matter.

Tune in from 11.30 onwards...

https://centreforaviation.com/insights/ ... ine-199511

JB's only consistent strategy is to find someone who can invest irrationally. I think JB would have lost his job had HNA not come to the rescue. He must have thought he had found a second EY which had unlimited amount of funds he could access. Unfortunately both EY and HNA have been put under scrutiny by their own government that their spending spree must stop.

SJL wrote:

Does anyone know how Batik Air is doing on their recently launched DPS-PER? Lion Air Group have wanted access to PER for years and I'm booked with them for November.

As a side note, their website lists a 739 on the route but I've seen 738's parked at the gate.

SJL wrote:

Thanks qf789. Looking forward to seeing the numbers - I've heard anecdotally the flights have gone out with plenty of spare seats. Early days for a new operator though and they've done minimal advertising - seemingly less than Malindo when they opened KUL.

I swore I saw an A320 on approach - thought I'd had one too many coffees.

qf789 wrote:

There must be some impact though, as Garuda has dropped down to 738 (that started last week) and the A330 is not expected back on the route until the end of October

RyanairGuru wrote:

SYDSpotter wrote:

skyhawkmatthew wrote:

VA is not really operating to Hong Kong to make profits for themselves. HNA Group is using VA as a vehicle (through codesharing with Hong Kong Airlines) to compete with CX and trash their yields on the lucrative Australia-HK-beyond markets. CX has used up all the bilateral frequencies to major cities from the HK end, so using VA is a convenient way around the restrictions for HKA.

If that were the case you reckon SQ and EY have given their blessings? I don't think so...

HNA is not the only shareholder in VA, so VA is not their little toy who they can use to pursue their own strategic objectives. SQ and EY haven't been performing well in their own operations lately so I don't think they'd be open to VA running China ops just to "trash" CX's yields and further worsen VA's dire financial performance.

I have to agree with Skyhawkmatthew. VA told anyone who would listen that they didn't need an Asian strategy and that SQ offered all of the connectivity they needed. At least they did until HNA invested. Suddenly VA have an interest in serving markets that HNA would like to serve but are restricted from. Colour me sceptical that is a coincidence.

ben175 wrote:

Any news on MU's proposed PER-PVG service?

Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar are charging police and other law-enforcement agencies $50 almost every time they request information about passengers in investigations, from organised crime to routine inquiries.

Virgin Australia began charging months earlier, with a fee of $30 a time, but its criteria means it will collect on fewer ­requests than Qantas.
Qantas insists that the fee-charging, quietly rolled out four months ago, is necessary to recover the costs of airline staff responding to police, state-based anti-corruption groups and other agencies tracking certain passengers.