zkncj wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

With QF gaining the 789s and reducing the use of A330s on domestic routes, do you believe it may be a time for it to reconsider services to India? I've recently been to India for work and, along with myself, there were quite a number of Australians transferring in SIN onto 9W services to India. SQ and CX also gets significant business into India from Australia..

Haven't the 332's that have been removed from Domestic been shifted onto AKL-SYD,BNE,MEL?

A332's have become available as a result of QF adding the A380 to SIN from SYD & MEL plus there is still a bit of slack in the fleet

With the 2 QF A380s being freed up from March 2018 once QF9/10 becomes B789, obviously 1 will be used to replace the A330 on the QF35/36 MEL-SIN run, has any announcement or update come through regarding the use of the second A380?

Also QF stated they were looking at a new Asia route for the spare A330 capacity which is a result of the changes next March. Anyone know anything or is the year round SYD-KIX and the A330s moving to the tasman soaked up all that spare capacity?

vhebb wrote:

With the 2 QF A380s being freed up from March 2018 once QF9/10 becomes B789, obviously 1 will be used to replace the A330 on the QF35/36 MEL-SIN run, has any announcement or update come through regarding the use of the second A380?

No not yet though you would think it would be put on SYD-HKG

Sydney-Seattle nonstop is my #1 fantasy dream route...
And has been for years.
Most likely Delta, with Virgin Australia code sharing.
Fingers crossed!
cheers,
Bunumuring.

vhebb wrote:

With the 2 QF A380s being freed up from March 2018 once QF9/10 becomes B789, obviously 1 will be used to replace the A330 on the QF35/36 MEL-SIN run, has any announcement or update come through regarding the use of the second A380?

Also QF stated they were looking at a new Asia route for the spare A330 capacity which is a result of the changes next March. Anyone know anything or is the year round SYD-KIX and the A330s moving to the tasman soaked up all that spare capacity?

I would love that A330 capacity to be directed at AKL - in particular, one of:

- AKL - PER year-round (to connect to PER - LHR)
- AKL - SIN (to connect to SIN - LHR)
- AKL - LAX (to fill the void once AA leaves in March)

If the A330 capacity is going to Asia, then these routes would have strong potential:

- PER - NRT (given the booming Japanese tourism sector)
- SYD - KUL (to connect to MH's oneworld hub)

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

vhebb wrote:

With the 2 QF A380s being freed up from March 2018 once QF9/10 becomes B789, obviously 1 will be used to replace the A330 on the QF35/36 MEL-SIN run, has any announcement or update come through regarding the use of the second A380?

Also QF stated they were looking at a new Asia route for the spare A330 capacity which is a result of the changes next March. Anyone know anything or is the year round SYD-KIX and the A330s moving to the tasman soaked up all that spare capacity?

I would love that A330 capacity to be directed at AKL - in particular, one of:

- AKL - PER year-round (to connect to PER - LHR)
- AKL - SIN (to connect to SIN - LHR)
- AKL - LAX (to fill the void once AA leaves in March)

If the A330 capacity is going to Asia, then these routes would have strong potential:

- PER - NRT (given the booming Japanese tourism sector)
- SYD - KUL (to connect to MH's oneworld hub)

Cheers,

C.

The only other A330 flight to AKL you will see is from PER. SIN/LAX-AKL is not going to happen on QF metal, there are multiple routes QF could operate from Australia. I think AA has got it right with a seasonal service, most of their passengers would be Americans and AKL is a seasonal market. QF operating AKL-LAX would require passengers connecting from Australia and with QF already operating to LAX from SYD, BNE & MEL the flight will lack feed. There will also be no incentive from PER either as once PER-LHR starts there will be a same plane service to LAX operating PER-MEL-LAX

I wouldn't think SYD-KUL would be high on the agenda either, I would think a route such as MEL-PVG would probably be the next one to happen

qf789 wrote:

I think AA has got it right with a seasonal service, most of their passengers would be Americans and AKL is a seasonal market. QF operating AKL-LAX would require passengers connecting from Australia and with QF already operating to LAX from SYD, BNE & MEL the flight will lack feed.

AKL-LAX? As happened last time, there would likely be a lot of FF redemptions, especially from the US side. This was a reaction to the Qantas cancellation of AKL-LAX:

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/ ... ay-6-2012/

"Awards on Qantas from Los Angeles to Auckland were quite a bit easier than on their nonstop routes to Australia, so this is bad for those looking to book award tickets to Australia and New Zealand. It’s also bad news for those wanting to book American’s distance based OneWorld awards, since this route was a great way to have a stopover in New Zealand without really paying additional miles."

mariner

[*][quote="ZK-NBT"]ADL-LAX is far fetched. UA to BNE? Or MEL-SFO. QF BNE-SFO maybe.[/

QF BNE-SFO is far fetched. United MEL or BNE though aren't, although neither will happen on the short term.

RyanairGuru wrote:

[*]

ZK-NBT wrote:

ADL-LAX is far fetched. UA to BNE? Or MEL-SFO. QF BNE-SFO maybe.[/

QF BNE-SFO is far fetched. United MEL or BNE though aren't, although neither will happen on the short term.

QF are putting 789's in BNE, while I agree it's more likely to be BNE-DFW or ORD I don't think SFO is that far fetched, ADL-LAX on anyone however. I do agree UA SFO-BNE/MEL or LAX-BNE is likely.

Etihad flight EY450 from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, a B77W, diverted early this morning to Adelaide, apparently due to a smoke alarm. Passengers left the aircraft and it is still there.

Its going to be bne-sfo/yvr/ord/dfw with the next 4 qf 789s based in brisbane. There doesnt seem to be an indication of anything else.

CBRboy wrote:

Etihad flight EY450 from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, a B77W, diverted early this morning to Adelaide, apparently due to a smoke alarm. Passengers left the aircraft and it is still there.

Passengers will be put on domestic flights to SYD

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-up ... f3028af3de

SQ has operated a charter from ROK today

https://www.flightradar24.com/SIA8936/f3288da

qf789 wrote:

I would think a route such as MEL-PVG would probably be the next one to happen

I highly doubt it.

MEL has seen explosive growth to Greater China of late, with the market highly saturated now, and round-trip fares regularly selling for AUD 400 - 500.

MEL - PVG is one of the few routes that already has competition (with both CA and MU serving the market).

In addition, the HNA Group is propping up VA to curtail bilateral restrictions to Greater China, initially supporting VA to open MEL - HKG, with further routes from MEL likely.

These are the current routes from MEL to Greater China:



These are potential future routes from MEL to Greater China, based on there being flights from these cities to SYD already:



Surely QF will want to place its surplus capacity in a market with higher yield and less competition, than China?

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

qf789 wrote:

I would think a route such as MEL-PVG would probably be the next one to happen

I highly doubt it.

MEL has seen explosive growth to Greater China of late, with the market highly saturated now, and round-trip fares regularly selling for AUD 400 - 500.

MEL - PVG is one of the few routes that already has competition (with both CA and MU serving the market).

In addition, the HNA Group is propping up VA to curtail bilateral restrictions to Greater China, initially supporting VA to open MEL - HKG, with further routes from MEL likely.

These are the current routes from MEL to Greater China:



These are potential future routes from MEL to Greater China, based on there being flights from these cities to SYD already:



Surely QF will want to place its surplus capacity in a market with higher yield and less competition, than China?

Cheers,

C.

They now serve PEK and PVG in SYD, with PEK being in the middle of the same explosive growth out of SYD.

log0008 wrote:

They now serve PEK and PVG in SYD, with PEK being in the middle of the same explosive growth out of SYD.

QF's SYD - PEK route is different:

- SYD - PEK was previously a monopoly for CA, whereas MEL - PVG already has both CA and MU.

- An important, if underappreciated, development is QF's JV with MU. MU is based in PVG and cannot, even if it wanted to, fly PEK-Australia routes, since CA holds the Chinese rights for the most compelling opportunities. However, MU already fly PVG - MEL, which QF can take advantage of, without needing to use its own metal.

If you look at SYD - PEK, you will see that it is currently the cheapest route out of SYD on QF to Asia, at AUD 576 return - the yields must be horrendous, though I could be wrong.

See: http://www.qantas.com/au/en/flight-deal ... all/lowest.

Regarding QF's SYD - PVG route, QF established and maintained that route well before the arrival of secondary Chinese carriers like HU and MF, and before its JV with MU. For many years (including QF's most unprofitable ones), it was QF's only route to Mainland China, and served a strategic purpose, despite potentially being loss-making (much like NZ's AKL - PVG service).

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

[In addition, the HNA Group is propping up VA to curtail bilateral restrictions to Greater China, initially supporting VA to open MEL - HKG, with further routes from MEL likely.


Surely QF will want to place its surplus capacity in a market with higher yield and less competition, than China?

The only bilateral restrictions are to HKG. China is unlimited.

QF has been on record in the past about increasing flights to China

qf789 wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

[In addition, the HNA Group is propping up VA to curtail bilateral restrictions to Greater China, initially supporting VA to open MEL - HKG, with further routes from MEL likely.


Surely QF will want to place its surplus capacity in a market with higher yield and less competition, than China?

The only bilateral restrictions are to HKG. China is unlimited.

QF has been on record in the past about increasing flights to China

Yes, but Chinese carriers are still restricted in flying to Australia, as they face a "one carrier per long-haul route" policy from the Chinese government (I appreciate that this is not a "bilateral restriction," per se).

For example, Hainan Airlines cannot open PEK - SYD or PVG - SYD, because Air China and China Eastern Airlines already operate those, respectively.

Therefore, Virgin Australia serves an important purpose for the HNA Group - it can open these first-tier routes, as it is not a Chinese carrier.

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

C.

Small nickpick: TAO-SHE sector is gone (from the start of S17). JD461/2 is now TAO-MEL only.

Cheers
Michael

qf789 wrote:

CBRboy wrote:

Etihad flight EY450 from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, a B77W, diverted early this morning to Adelaide, apparently due to a smoke alarm. Passengers left the aircraft and it is still there.

Passengers will be put on domestic flights to SYD

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-up ... f3028af3de

This afternoons EY451 cancelled with passengers accomadated on tonight's EY455. The B777 will ferry back to AUH direct from ADL.

EK413

-ZNA coming home soon...

https://www.facebook.com/Qantas/videos/ ... 153637686/

EK413

qf789 wrote:

SQ has operated a charter from ROK today

https://www.flightradar24.com/SIA8936/f3288da

BI also operating one as well

https://www.flightradar24.com/RBA4272/f33a43f

^^ Military contracts

Another PER bound flight diverted due to a medical, this one QF597 BNE-PER diverted to ADL

http://theqantassource.com/qantas-b737- ... diversion/

Melbourne looks to be getting a new 747 cargo service with Suparna Airlines expected to launch 2x weekly (Thursday and Sunday) services to Shanghai late this month.

Also could be the same rumour doing rounds online but heard 'offline' for the first time today that BNE-ORD (likely 3x weekly) is confirmed and to be announced on the 787 delivery day which is this week! Also suggested BNE-LAX-JFK to be reduced to 5 weekly (however BNE-LAX will remain daily with the 787 picking up the extra 2 days. VH-OJS/OJT/OJU (non ER744s) are also now expected to stay for at least 4 years. - This seems all but confirmed with QF 744 crews who were previously expected to move to the 787 staying put.

EK413 wrote:

If Qantas was to announce a new route it'll be on Friday 20th October with the arrival of their 1st B789.

EK413

Speaking of announcements and QF’s 787’s, does anyone have thoughts about when we could see an announcement for the next batch of 787’s?

I know QF said they wanted to prove they could make money out of them first.

They have 4 scheduled to join the fleet in H1 of FY19 (Nov 2018 for ZNH). I wonder if they’d be looking to bring more on in that same financial year, or wait until the following year, starting July 2019?

log0008 wrote:

Melbourne looks to be getting a new 747 cargo service with Suparna Airlines expected to launch 2x weekly (Thursday and Sunday) services to Shanghai late this month.

Also could be the same rumour doing rounds online but heard 'offline' for the first time today that BNE-ORD (likely 3x weekly) is confirmed and to be announced on the 787 delivery day which is this week! Also suggested BNE-LAX-JFK to be reduced to 5 weekly (however BNE-LAX will remain daily with the 787 picking up the extra 2 days. VH-OJS/OJT/OJU (non ER744s) are also now expected to stay for at least 4 years. - This seems all but confirmed with QF 744 crews who were previously expected to move to the 787 staying put.

Interesting, personally I had thought BNE-ORD would be better than launching BNE-DFW, it would also put NZ on the back foot for a change. BNE-LAX operating with 5 weekly 744/2 weekly 789 sounds reasonable, I guess what happens with the 744 in BNE for the other 2 days a week, could we see them sent to Asia? If QF upgrade SYD-HKG to A388 we could have a 3 weekly SYD-YVR as well. I guess the other question is if the 744 (non ER) will be in the fleet until 2021-22 can we see the 744 ER stay longer than what has been discussed in regards to the A359ULR/778 debate as these frames were suppose to replace the 744ER's?

CattleClass wrote:

EK413 wrote:

If Qantas was to announce a new route it'll be on Friday 20th October with the arrival of their 1st B789.

EK413

Speaking of announcements and QF’s 787’s, does anyone have thoughts about when we could see an announcement for the next batch of 787’s?

I know QF said they wanted to prove they could make money out of them first.

They have 4 scheduled to join the fleet in H1 of FY19 (Nov 2018 for ZNH). I wonder if they’d be looking to bring more on in that same financial year, or wait until the following year, starting July 2019?

I have always thought it would be at the announcement of the half year results in February. If that is the case I wouldn't expect delivery of these aircraft until mid 2019. If they use all 15 options and with the 744's (OJS,OJT and OJU) not being retired next year I would expect all these frames (or most at a minimum) on new routes

I cant see LAX-JFK-LAX being reduced to 5x weekly, it needs to be daily to attract the biz traffic. Even during the GFC, and QFs own downturn JFK always remained daily.

QF have already announced that 4x B789s will be BNE based, so a 3x weekly ORD and 2x weekly LAX isn't enough flying for 4x frames.

My guess is:

BNE-LAX-JFK-LAX-BNE will be shifted from B744 to B789, the B789 will also operate either BNE-DFW or BNE-ORD to make up for the capacity short fall of losing the B744.

All B744 ops will be consolidated in SYD, this will allow VH-OEB to be retired and the current 6x weekly SYD-SFO and 6x weekly SYD-JNB to be moved back up to daily year round, and perhaps SYD-YVR to become year round.

The A330-300's have already been earmarked for replacement with 787-10's, but this probably won't be till the 2021-2023 period. Although, I suspect QF will order some of these aircraft for delivery in the 2019-2021 period to cater for growth in market.

planemanofnz wrote:

USAOZ wrote:

just heard a rumour, that there will be new direct flights to west coast USA from Australia next year. Could it be that JQ will go nonstop to LAX or ?

Maybe a similar situation to SYD/HNL where both QF & JQ fly the route.

My pick is SEA - SYD on DL, with an A350-900 or 777-200LR.

SEA is the only major city on the west coast, with no direct flights to Australia or New Zealand.

Despite this, SEA is the fastest growing major city in the US, and is high-yielding, with Amazon, Boeing, Expedia, Microsoft and Starbucks all having significant operations there.

Cheers,

C.

Ditto. Agree with all points above.

planemanofnz wrote:

vhebb wrote:

With the 2 QF A380s being freed up from March 2018 once QF9/10 becomes B789, obviously 1 will be used to replace the A330 on the QF35/36 MEL-SIN run, has any announcement or update come through regarding the use of the second A380?

Also QF stated they were looking at a new Asia route for the spare A330 capacity which is a result of the changes next March. Anyone know anything or is the year round SYD-KIX and the A330s moving to the tasman soaked up all that spare capacity?

I would love that A330 capacity to be directed at AKL - in particular, one of:

- AKL - PER year-round (to connect to PER - LHR)
- AKL - SIN (to connect to SIN - LHR)
- AKL - LAX (to fill the void once AA leaves in March)

If the A330 capacity is going to Asia, then these routes would have strong potential:

- PER - NRT (given the booming Japanese tourism sector)
- SYD - KUL (to connect to MH's oneworld hub)

Cheers,

C.

The logical thing if the QF-AA JV is approved is for AA to operate LAX-AKL year round, or maybe DFW-AKL connecting with QF in AKL. If not, then One World have to accept they don't have a viable presence in that market. Seasonal doesn't cut it for high yield travellers as we've discussed in the NZ thread.
PER-AKL on QF I agree is imminent year round. Maybe 3-4 weekly off season and daily peak season, with QF launching direct PER-LHR.
I don't see QF going AKL-SIN.

kriskim wrote:

NZ321 wrote:

The logical thing if the QF-AA JV is approved is for AA to operate LAX-AKL year round, or maybe DFW-AKL connecting with QF in AKL. If not, then One World have to accept they don't have a viable presence in that market. Seasonal doesn't cut it for high yield travellers as we've discussed in the NZ thread.

PER-AKL on QF I agree is imminent year round. Maybe 3-4 weekly off season and daily peak season, with QF launching direct PER-LHR.
I don't see QF going AKL-SIN.

Since QF already has its own DFW service from SYD, it makes little sense for AA to operate AKL-DFW, what for? If AKL doesn't work year round, not only AA but UA aswell, there might be a problem.

Once the JV is approved, AA will start MEL-LAX, this was known internally. QF then will place the 787's on a new MEL-Nth American route.

And that route is likely to be MEL-DFW. BTW any word on the JV approval and how its going?

NZ321 wrote:

The logical thing if the QF-AA JV is approved is for AA to operate LAX-AKL year round, or maybe DFW-AKL connecting with QF in AKL. If not, then One World have to accept they don't have a viable presence in that market. Seasonal doesn't cut it for high yield travellers as we've discussed in the NZ thread.

PER-AKL on QF I agree is imminent year round. Maybe 3-4 weekly off season and daily peak season, with QF launching direct PER-LHR.
I don't see QF going AKL-SIN.

Since QF already has its own DFW service from SYD, it makes little sense for AA to operate AKL-DFW, what for? If AKL doesn't work year round, not only AA but UA aswell, there might be a problem.

Once the JV is approved, AA will start MEL-LAX, this was known internally. QF then will place the 787's on a new MEL-Nth American route.

Hi all,

For those interested, a brief update regarding the terminal upgrade at LDH:

"The foundations of the new Airport Terminal have been completed, with the concrete pad footings for the structural columns poured and the major underground services installed. The new concrete floor slab has been poured. The rolled aluminium roofing material and structural steel elements arrived in early August, and the roofing structure is in installed with only bracing still to be completed. The construction has now moved onto the timber framing stage which is expected to be in place by the early September 2017. The builder has voiced some concern with a number of RFI’s (request for information) not being responded to by the architect in a timely fashion, this has been followed by LHIB staff to expedite the matter. Otherwise the project is progressing well with completion still expected in December 2017."

See:
- http://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/community/ne ... al-project.
- http://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/sites/lordho ... 20Size.pdf.
- http://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/sites/lordho ... 20Open.pdf.

This is a fantastic project - I sincerely hope that the concepts come true:







Separately, the NSW Government in May 2017 committed to a study to investigate the extension of LDH's runway - does anyone know how this is tracking?

Surely the runway at LDH will have to be extended, as QF plan to retire the Dash 8-200s in the near future?

log0008 wrote:

Also could be the same rumour doing rounds online but heard 'offline' for the first time today that BNE-ORD (likely 3x weekly) is confirmed and to be announced on the 787 delivery day which is this week!

I have also heard a rumour that an announcement by NZ regarding AKL - ORD is imminent - let the race begin!

Cheers,

C.

Thinking further about this next route announcement. Could we see BNE-SEA from QF as opposed to ORD/DFW?

In the official press release from QF back when they announced the BNE base. Seattle was the first new city mentioned. (Despite other news articles changing that order around)
They also have a partnership with AS which would provide onward connections to Canada and ANC.

Frame 5 6july arrival
3pw would be a good starting point to test the market bne-sea. Then 2pw flights bnelaxjfk the 789 takes over from the 744. (Mel-lax pm flight drops to 5pw to help this transition)

Frame 6 comes online 22 aug takes over 3 more bnelaxjfk 744 frequencies

The question still remains. What will happen to frame 7 and 8? Will we see CDG 5pw? That could work if BNESEA was an evening departure. How late is too late for connections...?

qantas747 wrote:

Frame 5 6july arrival
3pw would be a good starting point to test the market. Then 2pw flights the 789 takes over from the 744. (Mel-lax pm flight drops to 5pw to help this transition)

You do realise that QF95/96 will be operated 6 weekly so at most if it dropped down to 5 weekly it will only open up 1 weekly flight

Could the 787-10 meet QF requirements for heavier demand routes from SYD and Asia/Japan?

qf789 wrote:

qantas747 wrote:

Frame 5 6july arrival
3pw would be a good starting point to test the market. Then 2pw flights the 789 takes over from the 744. (Mel-lax pm flight drops to 5pw to help this transition)

You do realise that QF95/96 will be operated 6 weekly so at most if it dropped down to 5 weekly it will only open up 1 weekly flight

7 days in a week, therefore scope to have 2pw. Having the second bne-north america 3pw provides 1 day of slack for maintenance on all 789s and as the 5th bne one rotates through lax it can switch out with a mel based one.

Edit: my numbers are out sorry qf789. It would indeed only add a single daily.

qantas747 wrote:

Could we see BNE-SEA from QF as opposed to ORD/DFW?

Why would QF do SEA from BNE rather than SYD? The only reason BNE-ORD makes sense is because they can't make it nonstop from SYD.

DFW, SFO or YVR all make more sense from BNE (or MEL) than SEA because they would complement existing SYD services rather than being brand new cities.

I don't think further European expansion will be on the cards until after PER-LHR is in service and they have a clearer picture of how the dynamics of these very long routes might work.

qf002 wrote:

qantas747 wrote:

Could we see BNE-SEA from QF as opposed to ORD/DFW?

Why would QF do SEA from BNE rather than SYD? The only reason BNE-ORD makes sense is because they can't make it nonstop from SYD.

DFW, SFO or YVR all make more sense from BNE (or MEL) than SEA because they would complement existing SYD services rather than being brand new cities.

I don't think further European expansion will be on the cards until after PER-LHR is in service and they have a clearer picture of how the dynamics of these very long routes might work.

On the same token BNE-ORD is similar distance to PER-LHR and they already have a main connecting flight from SYD to DFW.
I agree with you though. Commercially it would seem better for them to fly into their key partners hub.
SEA may be a good test bed for a long thin market that is relatively untouched.
Im purely just adding speculation together. It does seem weird though that Seattle would appear first in their official communications. The other hint was that another poster specifcally highlighted a west coast to AU flight.
Ah heck. Maybe theyll announce the aa partnership. AA to take over LAX to MEL and QF to start MEL-SFO.

I just dont know and I would love to find out!

EK413 wrote:

-ZNA coming home soon...

https://www.facebook.com/Qantas/videos/ ... 153637686/

EK413

Thanks EK413 I don't use 'face(less)book' (yes, there a some of us! lol), so cant access via normal channel. I appreciate you posting a viewable link Using the 'pause' throughout the vid to try get more of a 'picture' of the interior lol. PR teasing in full swing

planemanofnz wrote:

Separately, the NSW Government in May 2017 committed to a study to investigate the extension of LDH's runway - does anyone know how this is tracking?

Surely the runway at LDH will have to be extended, as QF plan to retire the Dash 8-200s in the near future?

That or QF will drop the service. While SYD-LDH-SYD is still a regulated route for the purposes of the Air Transport Act 1964 (NSW), the current license term expires in March. TfNSW were soliciting expressions of interest for a new licensee up until July just gone but I've not heard of any progress since then. Notably they were also mentioning a willingness to consider issuing a license for longer than the normal five years.

The services linking LDH with PQQ and BNE however are operated totally at QF's whim, as all interstate services and intra-NSW services that don't land at SYD are deregulated.

XAM2175 wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

Separately, the NSW Government in May 2017 committed to a study to investigate the extension of LDH's runway - does anyone know how this is tracking?

Surely the runway at LDH will have to be extended, as QF plan to retire the Dash 8-200s in the near future?

That or QF will drop the service. While SYD-LDH-SYD is still a regulated route for the purposes of the Air Transport Act 1964 (NSW), the current license term expires in March. TfNSW were soliciting expressions of interest for a new licensee up until July just gone but I've not heard of any progress since then. Notably they were also mentioning a willingness to consider issuing a license for longer than the normal five years.

The services linking LDH with PQQ and BNE however are operated totally at QF's whim, as all interstate services and intra-NSW services that don't land at SYD are deregulated.

I believe LDH-PQQ has been cancelled... If the NSW government could provide QF with a 10 year + contract, maybe they would be more likely to keep the Q200s around (or source a new aircraft type). 5 year contracts are hard for routes that can only take very few types of aircraft.

Qantas 737-800 (VH-VZZ operating QF467 to MEL) has collided with a catering truck on pushback



http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/1 ... ring-truck

Qantas16 wrote:

I believe LDH-PQQ has been cancelled... If the NSW government could provide QF with a 10 year + contract, maybe they would be more likely to keep the Q200s around (or source a new aircraft type). 5 year contracts are hard for routes that can only take very few types of aircraft.

Hadn't known about the PQQ cancellation - a shame but not a surprise. I agree that a longer license would be the only way to convince QF to stay other than make the strip capable of taking a Q400 and even then they may decide it's not worth the trouble, particularly as I imagine they probably get fairly decent yields out of the current restrictions on capacity.

Noting as well that two other routes are noted as likely to be affected by standardisation on the Q400 - ARM and MRZ. Both will require addition of security screening (believe ARM is getting it soon anyway), and MRZ is regulated so there's protection from competition if QF want to renew. ARM also has pavement loading issues which I understand are lined up for resolution too, so the only real problem left there is that it's deregulated and has ZL up against it and TMW with all its options not that far down the road. I still think though from personal experience that ARM can take the extra capacity readily, even if it requires a small frequency cut to begin with.

Interesting thing to watch will be if ARM management end up in the same position re security costs with ZL and FlyCorporate as at Dubbo.

EK413 wrote:

-ZNA coming home soon...

https://www.facebook.com/Qantas/videos/ ... 153637686/

EK413

Im assuming by this that there isn't yet an official ETA into Sydney? Am I right in thinking the date of arrival is still the 20th though? Im planning to go out and see it given I'm free that day!

qf2220 wrote:

EK413 wrote:

-ZNA coming home soon...

https://www.facebook.com/Qantas/videos/ ... 153637686/

EK413

Im assuming by this that there isn't yet an official ETA into Sydney? Am I right in thinking the date of arrival is still the 20th though? Im planning to go out and see it given I'm free that day!

Yes it's confirmed for a 710am arrival on Friday the 20th

XAM2175 wrote:

QF will drop the service

Qantas16 wrote:

If the NSW government could provide QF with a 10 year + contract, maybe they would be more likely to keep the Q200s around (or source a new aircraft type)

LDH has attracted investment from government in the past two years, including:

- A runway upgrade that was opened in 2015, which mainly improved both drainage and sealing
- A terminal upgrade that is scheduled to open in December 2017, which will cost in excess of AUD 2 million

IMHO, this makes it less likely that the government will allow LDH to lose scheduled air services altogether.

In addition, the very fact that the government has spent AUD 450,000 on considering a runway extension at LDH, demonstrates a) an acknowledgement that the Dash 8-200 is not likely to stick around, and b) the strong desire, despite the impending retirement of the Dash 8-200, for air links to LDH to remain.

Cheers,

C.

qf789 wrote:

qf2220 wrote:

EK413 wrote:

-ZNA coming home soon...

https://www.facebook.com/Qantas/videos/ ... 153637686/

EK413

Im assuming by this that there isn't yet an official ETA into Sydney? Am I right in thinking the date of arrival is still the 20th though? Im planning to go out and see it given I'm free that day!

Yes it's confirmed for a 710am arrival on Friday the 20th

Great, thanks. Any approach locked in for this flight or is it up to the weather like all other approaches? Im thinking about where best to go.