qf789 wrote:

VH-ZNC is operating its first international service today as QF93

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-znc

From tomorrow, the 3rd 789 will be operating some days of the QF93/94 as the A380 has been reduced to 3 weekly while one frame is having a landing gear change and then a repaint.

qf789 wrote:

A couple of pics of the A350-1000 after arriving in SYD





https://twitter.com/Airbus/status/962308223532281856

Are those QF stairs and Q Catering (QF subsidiary) a sign of what’s to come of this A350 tour

EK413

Flyerqf wrote:

qf789 wrote:

VH-ZNC is operating its first international service today as QF93

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-znc

From tomorrow, the 3rd 789 will be operating some days of the QF93/94 as the A380 has been reduced to 3 weekly while one frame is having a landing gear change and then a repaint.

As pointed out in my original post the 789 began operating QF93 yesterday

Flyerqf wrote:

qf789 wrote:

VH-ZNC is operating its first international service today as QF93

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-znc

From tomorrow, the 3rd 789 will be operating some days of the QF93/94 as the A380 has been reduced to 3 weekly while one frame is having a landing gear change and then a repaint.

The 1st A380 has not entered maintenance for repaint or repairs as of yet. All A380’s are operating scheduled services with exception of -OQA in SYD.

EK413

Today's QF161 SYD-WLG arrived into WLG with about half the passengers missing their bags

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-t ... -australia

Brisbane hit with heavy storms this evening causing flights divert to their alternate, EK430 DXB-BNE div SYD, EK435 AKL-BNE div SYD, QF975 TSV-BNE div OOL to name a few.

EK413

QF says that even if nonstop SYD-LHR goes ahead SYD-SIN-LHR may remain

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/t ... -its-chief

I wonder if the same would be true for syd-lax-jfk

zkncj wrote:

JQflightie wrote:

QF, uses generally a Panasonic IFE equipped BSI aircraft on these international routes. It's down to basically making sure it's a IFE equipped aircraft on that route, as well as DPS, also it must be able to have a 'Crew Rest Facility' installed, which is easy to do on a BSI B737

What does QF do for crew rests on the VH 738s? is it more than on the ZK 738s when its just an spare row at the very back?

Curtained off crew rest at 30DEF

qf789 wrote:

QF says that even if nonstop SYD-LHR goes ahead SYD-SIN-LHR may remain

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/t ... -its-chief

Joyce is saying that they (again, remembering RedQ) want to tap into Asian demand to and from London, no doubt utilising Jetstar Asia and other partners for feed. It would be interesting to see if they are still considering any sort of premium intra-Asian operation, though I think it unlikely considering the capital involved. If they really needed to they could probably add some premium seats on Jetstar Asia.

EK413 wrote:

Flyerqf wrote:

qf789 wrote:

VH-ZNC is operating its first international service today as QF93

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-znc

From tomorrow, the 3rd 789 will be operating some days of the QF93/94 as the A380 has been reduced to 3 weekly while one frame is having a landing gear change and then a repaint.

The 1st A380 has not entered maintenance for repaint or repairs as of yet. All A380’s are operating scheduled services with exception of -OQA in SYD.

EK413

As per flightaware/flightradar24 VH-OQA has been flying and doing some weird stuff, as QF2 diverted (due to long hold times in DXB) BUT still in DWC since FEB 10. Firstly, is Emirate maintenance/paint facility in DWC? Secondly, is VH-OQA the aircraft which is having its landing gear replaced? Has QF decided that since OQA was stuck in DWC at the time and was due to be in maintenance there soon, they decided to keep it there. Doing as much research as I can, I conclude that VH-OQA needs its landing gear replaced. so as OQA is still in DWC, it may be the landing gear aircraft, and after that is done will be the first A380 to be repainted. Of course this is ALL GUESS WORK ON MY PART. I'm just trying to join dots .

EK413 wrote:

Brisbane hit with heavy storms this evening causing flights divert to their alternate, EK430 DXB-BNE div SYD, EK435 AKL-BNE div SYD, QF975 TSV-BNE div OOL to name a few.

EK413

Not a good night for BNE as SQ246 had a mechanical issue and, after a few laps out over the ocean, returned to BNE. Unsure why.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/SIA246

An interesting piece by CAPA on the recent loss of various international flights to DRW, and what's next.

See: https://blueswandaily.com/darwin-airpor ... d-airasia/.

I have often wondered about a DRW - HKG link - the CX Group is going after destinations that have no Chinese carriers (like CPT and DUB), so that it has a competitive advantage and can charge a premium - would that strategy work at DRW too? PR operated 320s on CNS - MNL, which is longer than DRW - HKG - therefore, could KA use a 320 to open this service? No doubt, CX/KA are in a better position to get connecting (albeit small) China and US traffic than SQ/MI are.

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

An interesting piece by CAPA on the recent loss of various international flights to DRW, and what's next.

See: https://blueswandaily.com/darwin-airpor ... d-airasia/.

I have often wondered about a DRW - HKG link - the CX Group is going after destinations that have no Chinese carriers (like CPT and DUB), so that it has a competitive advantage and can charge a premium - would that strategy work at DRW too? PR operated 320s on CNS - MNL, which is longer than DRW - HKG - therefore, could KA use a 320 to open this service? No doubt, CX/KA are in a better position to get connecting (albeit small) China and US traffic than SQ/MI are.

Cheers,

C.

Probably lots of people from Darwin travel usually returning to their actual hometown but these numbers are quite small relative to supporting regular air services to anywhere other than major mainland capitals and a few near Asian cities such as SIN, DPS and Timor Leste.

Darwin is a very small city. It is smaller than a typical municipality in Melbourne or Sydney so expecting it to support regular international travel to multiple destinations is very optimistic. Domestic travel to DRW is highly seasonal peaking during the southern winter but shrinking significantly during the wet season. Given the very low level of O&D travel, it is unlikely DRW could even operate as a hub into Asia; SIN does this so much better.

tullamarine wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

An interesting piece by CAPA on the recent loss of various international flights to DRW, and what's next.

See: https://blueswandaily.com/darwin-airpor ... d-airasia/.

I have often wondered about a DRW - HKG link - the CX Group is going after destinations that have no Chinese carriers (like CPT and DUB), so that it has a competitive advantage and can charge a premium - would that strategy work at DRW too? PR operated 320s on CNS - MNL, which is longer than DRW - HKG - therefore, could KA use a 320 to open this service? No doubt, CX/KA are in a better position to get connecting (albeit small) China and US traffic than SQ/MI are.

Cheers,

C.

Probably lots of people from Darwin travel usually returning to their actual hometown but these numbers are quite small relative to supporting regular air services to anywhere other than major mainland capitals and a few near Asian cities such as SIN, DPS and Timor Leste.

Darwin is a very small city. It is smaller than a typical municipality in Melbourne or Sydney so expecting it to support regular international travel to multiple destinations is very optimistic. Domestic travel to DRW is highly seasonal peaking during the southern winter but shrinking significantly during the wet season. Given the very low level of O&D travel, it is unlikely DRW could even operate as a hub into Asia; SIN does this so much better.

Agreed. The likes of Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Wollongong and Townsville are all significantly larger than Darwin, which is about on par with Ballarat and Toowoomba in terms of population. While it’s remote location does drive a lot of demand, that is predominantly to other cities in Australia.

RyanairGuru wrote:

The likes of Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Wollongong and Townsville are all significantly larger than Darwin, which is about on par with Ballarat and Toowoomba in terms of population. While it’s remote location does drive a lot of demand, that is predominantly to other cities in Australia.

As they often say of Emirates - "it's the geography."

A determined airline could use DRW as a scissor hub for more southerly Australia on the one hand and nearer Asian on the other.

No one is going to start a flight to Balkpapan - except maybe from DRW. But that's only going to work if that flight "collects" pax from four or five other flights from southerly Australia - SYD-DRW-BPN, but also MEL-DRW-BPN and ADL-DRW-BPN and BNE-DRW-BPN so on.

Same-same Kota Kinabalu, same-same Kuching, same-same Yogyakarta - the list is long. Its just missing an airline - LOL.

mariner

There was about an hour’s delay this morning for QR906 SYD-CBR as several passengers transiting went walkabouts resulting in them being booted off the flight

https://twitter.com/ausbt/status/962793603100626944

qf789 wrote:

There was about an hour’s delay this morning for QR906 SYD-CBR as several passengers transiting went walkabouts resulting in them being booted off the flight

https://twitter.com/ausbt/status/962793603100626944

Yep, although I’m personally glad they did because the delay meant that I was there for the water cannon salute and AAB’s media appearance! The original schedule had us missing the arrival festivities. I’ll try and post some pictures later.

mariner wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

The likes of Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Wollongong and Townsville are all significantly larger than Darwin, which is about on par with Ballarat and Toowoomba in terms of population. While it’s remote location does drive a lot of demand, that is predominantly to other cities in Australia.

As they often say of Emirates - "it's the geography."

A determined airline could use DRW as a scissor hub for more southerly Australia on the one hand and nearer Asian on the other.

No one is going to start a flight to Balkpapan - except maybe from DRW. But that's only going to work if that flight "collects" pax from four or five other flights from southerly Australia - SYD-DRW-BPN, but also MEL-DRW-BPN and ADL-DRW-BPN and BNE-DRW-BPN so on.

Same-same Kota Kinabalu, same-same Kuching, same-same Yogyakarta - the list is long. Its just missing an airline - LOL.

mariner

It's been tried and canned (Jetstar) as the operating costs at DRW are too high.

eta unknown wrote:

mariner wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

The likes of Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Wollongong and Townsville are all significantly larger than Darwin, which is about on par with Ballarat and Toowoomba in terms of population. While it’s remote location does drive a lot of demand, that is predominantly to other cities in Australia.

As they often say of Emirates - "it's the geography."

A determined airline could use DRW as a scissor hub for more southerly Australia on the one hand and nearer Asian on the other.

No one is going to start a flight to Balkpapan - except maybe from DRW. But that's only going to work if that flight "collects" pax from four or five other flights from southerly Australia - SYD-DRW-BPN, but also MEL-DRW-BPN and ADL-DRW-BPN and BNE-DRW-BPN so on.

Same-same Kota Kinabalu, same-same Kuching, same-same Yogyakarta - the list is long. Its just missing an airline - LOL.

mariner

It's been tried and canned (Jetstar) as the operating costs at DRW are too high.

It has been tried with Jetstar who used to fly to Vietnam and I belive the Phiilipines ( I could be wrong on that one)
But the majority of territorians either fly south to home cities or Bali as it is cheap and close. For the non Bali Bogan they have silkair to Singapore , MAS dropped out a whille back due to lack of demand . Darwin may simply not be the ideal getaway that people think. Why would you connect from SYD,BNE or Mel to fly on to an Asian neighbour if you can either fly direct or connect in a decent transit point in Asia ?
AN767

An767 wrote:

But the majority of territorians either fly south to home cities or Bali as it is cheap and close. For the non Bali Bogan they have silkair to Singapore , MAS dropped out a whille back due to lack of demand . Darwin may simply not be the ideal getaway that people think. Why would you connect from SYD,BNE or Mel to fly on to an Asian neighbour if you can either fly direct or connect in a decent transit point in Asia ?
AN767

Oh. I hadn't thought of it for the Territorians, rather for those on the south east coasts. Nor had I thought of places that south east people can already get to.

Oh, well. Hey ho. Then again, Jetstar couldn't make AKL-SIN work.

mariner

mariner wrote:

An767 wrote:

But the majority of territorians either fly south to home cities or Bali as it is cheap and close. For the non Bali Bogan they have silkair to Singapore , MAS dropped out a whille back due to lack of demand . Darwin may simply not be the ideal getaway that people think. Why would you connect from SYD,BNE or Mel to fly on to an Asian neighbour if you can either fly direct or connect in a decent transit point in Asia ?
AN767

Oh. I hadn't thought of it for the Territorians, rather for those on the south east coasts. Nor had I thought of places that south east people can already get to.

Oh, well. Hey ho. Then again, Jetstar couldn't make AKL-SIN work.

mariner

IMHO the difference is population density.

Panama City has 500 million people to the north and 500 million to the south. Dubai and Doha sit between 5 billion people.

Darwin is the gateway to 24 million people.

RyanairGuru wrote:

IMHO the difference is population density.

Panama City has 500 million people to the north and 500 million to the south. Dubai and Doha sit between 5 billion people.

Darwin is the gateway to 24 million people.

There are quite a lot of people live to the north and northwest of Darwin.

mariner

Jetstar flew to Ho Chi Minh, Manila and Singapore from its Darwin hub, but couldn’t make the operation work and obviously decided to focus on direct flights from Mel/Syd rather than funnel people through Darwin.

mariner wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

IMHO the difference is population density.

Panama City has 500 million people to the north and 500 million to the south. Dubai and Doha sit between 5 billion people.

Darwin is the gateway to 24 million people.

There are quite a lot of people live to the north and northwest of Darwin.

mariner

Not to forget that the 24 million people are some of the richest on the planet.

I like the idea of a scissor hub to secondary cities. Sydney to Kuching or Kota Kinabalu via DRW works for me compared to via SIN or KUL.

Just because it didn't work before doesn't rule out a different strategy.

NTLDaz wrote:

mariner wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

IMHO the difference is population density.

Panama City has 500 million people to the north and 500 million to the south. Dubai and Doha sit between 5 billion people.

Darwin is the gateway to 24 million people.

There are quite a lot of people live to the north and northwest of Darwin.

mariner

Not to forget that the 24 million people are some of the richest on the planet.

.

Rich people make it less likely to work, richer people don't mind paying 50 bucks more per seat to go direct.

log0008 wrote:

NTLDaz wrote:

mariner wrote:

There are quite a lot of people live to the north and northwest of Darwin.

mariner

Not to forget that the 24 million people are some of the richest on the planet.

.

Rich people make it less likely to work, richer people don't mind paying 50 bucks more per seat to go direct.

Correct but I'm talking about places where you can't go direct right now.

mariner wrote:

Then again, Jetstar couldn't make AKL-SIN work

Albeit in a less fuel efficient 332 (compared to a 788), while oil was still high, and before New Zealand's current tourism boom.

Cheers,

C.

^^I believe one of the stumbling blocks was the airport charges to JQ at Darwin.

NTLDaz wrote:

mariner wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

IMHO the difference is population density.

Panama City has 500 million people to the north and 500 million to the south. Dubai and Doha sit between 5 billion people.

Darwin is the gateway to 24 million people.

There are quite a lot of people live to the north and northwest of Darwin.

mariner

Not to forget that the 24 million people are some of the richest on the planet.

I like the idea of a scissor hub to secondary cities. Sydney to Kuching or Kota Kinabalu via DRW works for me compared to via SIN or KUL.

Just because it didn't work before doesn't rule out a different strategy.

Agree with the theory, I think the issue is possibly some of the destinations.

If you theoretically had a JQ flight from ADL/SYD/CNS/BNE/MEL to DRW in the late afternoon/early evening and then had those all connect in DRW to destinations which are not offered direct from any of the major capitals eg: LOP/PEN/KCH/BPN/BKI/USM/SUB
Wouldn't be serviced each daily, just 2-3 aircraft per night, to a range of the above (or others), so they would end up with 2-3 weekly flights ex DRW, all you'd need for a leisure schedule
Some destinations may work better than others, some may not work at all.

I do however think that we'll see Lion Air Group starting secondary Indonesian markets to Australia rather than it being an Australian carrier with a scissor hub out of DRW.

We've had strong growth from the Chinese carriers to secondary Chinese markets, it can't be too far away before we see the Indonesian secondary cities at a few days a week at least.

Boof wrote:

There is some talk on Social Media that the delivery will be 26th but that the aircraft will not be painted, and that it will be flying under the cover of darkness with a US registration and non-QF related callsigns so the arrival at ASP in March is the first true sighting of the aircraft. Time will tell I guess!

Leaves PDX in the evening to arrive into ASP just as the sun is rising would be my guess.

Today tonight Perth addition did story on new upgrades rolling out at the airport. Interesting airport boss talk up japan but also said delegation in India this month trying to secure flights.

I remember BA as a kid did Perth-Bombay-London.

undertheradar wrote:

EK413 wrote:

Flyerqf wrote:

From tomorrow, the 3rd 789 will be operating some days of the QF93/94 as the A380 has been reduced to 3 weekly while one frame is having a landing gear change and then a repaint.

The 1st A380 has not entered maintenance for repaint or repairs as of yet. All A380’s are operating scheduled services with exception of -OQA in SYD.

EK413

As per flightaware/flightradar24 VH-OQA has been flying and doing some weird stuff, as QF2 diverted (due to long hold times in DXB) BUT still in DWC since FEB 10. Firstly, is Emirate maintenance/paint facility in DWC? Secondly, is VH-OQA the aircraft which is having its landing gear replaced? Has QF decided that since OQA was stuck in DWC at the time and was due to be in maintenance there soon, they decided to keep it there. Doing as much research as I can, I conclude that VH-OQA needs its landing gear replaced. so as OQA is still in DWC, it may be the landing gear aircraft, and after that is done will be the first A380 to be repainted. Of course this is ALL GUESS WORK ON MY PART. I'm just trying to join dots .

Not sure, I have checked Flightradar24 and it shows -OQA in Sydney and the aircraft won’t depart until the 23/02 to LAX.

EK413

Obzerva wrote:

NTLDaz wrote:

mariner wrote:

There are quite a lot of people live to the north and northwest of Darwin.

mariner

Not to forget that the 24 million people are some of the richest on the planet.

I like the idea of a scissor hub to secondary cities. Sydney to Kuching or Kota Kinabalu via DRW works for me compared to via SIN or KUL.

Just because it didn't work before doesn't rule out a different strategy.

Agree with the theory, I think the issue is possibly some of the destinations.

If you theoretically had a JQ flight from ADL/SYD/CNS/BNE/MEL to DRW in the late afternoon/early evening and then had those all connect in DRW to destinations which are not offered direct from any of the major capitals eg: LOP/PEN/KCH/BPN/BKI/USM/SUB
Wouldn't be serviced each daily, just 2-3 aircraft per night, to a range of the above (or others), so they would end up with 2-3 weekly flights ex DRW, all you'd need for a leisure schedule
Some destinations may work better than others, some may not work at all.

I do however think that we'll see Lion Air Group starting secondary Indonesian markets to Australia rather than it being an Australian carrier with a scissor hub out of DRW.

We've had strong growth from the Chinese carriers to secondary Chinese markets, it can't be too far away before we see the Indonesian secondary cities at a few days a week at least.

I believe once those A320NEO’s and 737MAX start becoming more prominent, we will see more secondary flights from Indonesian secondary cities, however I think they will target direct flights to MEL/SYD/PER and will probably give DRW a miss unfortunately.

EK413 wrote:

undertheradar wrote:

EK413 wrote:

The 1st A380 has not entered maintenance for repaint or repairs as of yet. All A380’s are operating scheduled services with exception of -OQA in SYD.

EK413

As per flightaware/flightradar24 VH-OQA has been flying and doing some weird stuff, as QF2 diverted (due to long hold times in DXB) BUT still in DWC since FEB 10. Firstly, is Emirate maintenance/paint facility in DWC? Secondly, is VH-OQA the aircraft which is having its landing gear replaced? Has QF decided that since OQA was stuck in DWC at the time and was due to be in maintenance there soon, they decided to keep it there. Doing as much research as I can, I conclude that VH-OQA needs its landing gear replaced. so as OQA is still in DWC, it may be the landing gear aircraft, and after that is done will be the first A380 to be repainted. Of course this is ALL GUESS WORK ON MY PART. I'm just trying to join dots .

Not sure, I have checked Flightradar24 and it shows -OQA in Sydney and the aircraft won’t depart until the 23/02 to LAX.

EK413

Both FR24 and Qantassource have OQA in SYD

planemanofnz wrote:

mariner wrote:

Then again, Jetstar couldn't make AKL-SIN work

Albeit in a less fuel efficient 332 (compared to a 788), while oil was still high, and before New Zealand's current tourism boom.

The route was never a success for Jetstar even at 3 x weekly, but part of "making it work" is using the right aircraft. The potential of the route was good enough to persuade NZ to go back to Singapore and SQ to announce the seasonal use of the A380.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news ... d=11223039

"Jetstar quits Auckland-Singapore route"

I didn't think much of Jetstar's Darwin thinking either. The point is not to connect Darwin to the "big cities" of Asia - SGN or MNL - it is to connect the second cities of nearer-Asia (still huge) to Australia. Indonesia alone has more than ten times the population of Australia but how much of it do Australian airlines serve?

mariner

Cheers EK413 qf789. That dashes that theory Does anyone know which rego is getting the landing gear replaced? Just curious that's all. Time will tell anyway

waoz1 wrote:

Today tonight Perth addition did story on new upgrades rolling out at the airport. Interesting airport boss talk up japan but also said delegation in India this month trying to secure flights.

I remember BA as a kid did Perth-Bombay-London.

Found the link to actual tv report
https://thewest.com.au/travel/see-insid ... b88740241z

mariner wrote:

"Jetstar quits Auckland-Singapore route"

I didn't think much of Jetstar's Darwin thinking either. The point is not to connect Darwin to the "big cities" of Asia - SGN or MNL - it is to connect the second cities of nearer-Asia (still huge) to Australia. Indonesia alone has more than ten times the population of Australia but how much of it do Australian airlines serve?

mariner

Jetstar failed to make all of its A330 routes work out of Singapore (KIX, AKL, PEK) or it decided it was more profitable to serve routes with the aircraft direct out of Australia. We haven't seen any movement to base their 787s anywhere other than Australia since. Considering the competition in Singapore and the nature of the market in Vietnam that probably leaves Japan as a possibility, but only if partner JAL saw benefit in operating a widebody LCC service internationally.

I agree with Mariner about the potential for Darwin to connect to lesser Asian cities, but it would really require the redevelopment of Darwin Airport to make it an attractive transit terminal, to ensure that airport fees were at the right price, and for a significant amount of marketing of Jetstar (or any other airline) to drive traffic to those destinations and the patience to see them develop. I could see Australian travellers wanting to fly to Danang, Penang or Kuching, to pick three places I've been, without needing to transit a "foreign" airport.

I think the DRW hub ship has sailed, i look at it like this, why stop and transit in DRW when i can go direct into Asia, via most Capital Australian cities, and connect through the Asian destinations, which IMHO as set up a lot better for connection. the average flying time to DRW via most ports ex AUS is 4hr15min sometimes longer sometimes shorter, but lets call it this for argument sake's, then add to that a 2hr-3hr transit time, and i could have been in SIN/KUL from a majority of the AUS ports.
DRW is not cheap for landing fee's and PAX Fee's, its only just had its Airport updated in the last 2yrs, way past when JQ pulled out - not to mention some of the flight timings ex DRW were shocking - i know, i operated some back in the day.
Sure its a great place to visit for the overseas/Australian tourist, for those who have'nt been there before, however its expensive, accomodation is limited, and various tourist attractions are'nt exactly withing walking distance of Darwin City, that's not an attractive prospect for the LCC Traveler - unless you are into being a Backpacker, in that case may i suggest that your don't for get to shower weekly, and not in a creek because the crocs will get you.

waoz1 wrote:

Today tonight Perth addition did story on new upgrades rolling out at the airport. Interesting airport boss talk up japan but also said delegation in India this month trying to secure flights.

I remember BA as a kid did Perth-Bombay-London.

hmmm i wonder if this could spark the PER-SIN-BOM/BLR rumour again?
IndiGO have stated that they would like to expand into Europe, i wonder if expansion plans are in the pipeline for PER?
I know that on the QF71/QF77 many customers transit onwards to BOM/BLR could be viable?

JQflightie wrote:

I think the DRW hub ship has sailed, i look at it like this, why stop and transit in DRW when i can go direct into Asia, via most Capital Australian cities, and connect through the Asian destinations, which IMHO as set up a lot better for connection. the average flying time to DRW via most ports ex AUS is 4hr15min sometimes longer sometimes shorter, but lets call it this for argument sake's, then add to that a 2hr-3hr transit time, and i could have been in SIN/KUL from a majority of the AUS ports.
DRW is not cheap for landing fee's and PAX Fee's, its only just had its Airport updated in the last 2yrs, way past when JQ pulled out - not to mention some of the flight timings ex DRW were shocking - i know, i operated some back in the day.

I'm not sure the fact that Jetstar did it badly makes if a bad idea. Eventually, Darwin must find a proper place within greater Australia, even if it takes a few years. Broome, too.

JQflightie wrote:

Sure its a great place to visit for the overseas/Australian tourist, for those who have'nt been there before, however its expensive, accomodation is limited, and various tourist attractions are'nt exactly withing walking distance of Darwin City, that's not an attractive prospect for the LCC Traveler - unless you are into being a Backpacker, in that case may i suggest that your don't for get to shower weekly, and not in a creek because the crocs will get you.

Did someone say LCC?

mariner

JQflightie wrote:

waoz1 wrote:

Today tonight Perth addition did story on new upgrades rolling out at the airport. Interesting airport boss talk up japan but also said delegation in India this month trying to secure flights.

I remember BA as a kid did Perth-Bombay-London.

hmmm i wonder if this could spark the PER-SIN-BOM/BLR rumour again?
IndiGO have stated that they would like to expand into Europe, i wonder if expansion plans are in the pipeline for PER?
I know that on the QF71/QF77 many customers transit onwards to BOM/BLR could be viable?

Perhaps QF could introduce a direct flight from PER? It would get east coast feed and presumably could be done with an A330. I do hope this mini hub in PER will be bigger than just a couple of flights to LHR and CDG.

mariner wrote:

JQflightie wrote:

I think the DRW hub ship has sailed, i look at it like this, why stop and transit in DRW when i can go direct into Asia, via most Capital Australian cities, and connect through the Asian destinations, which IMHO as set up a lot better for connection. the average flying time to DRW via most ports ex AUS is 4hr15min sometimes longer sometimes shorter, but lets call it this for argument sake's, then add to that a 2hr-3hr transit time, and i could have been in SIN/KUL from a majority of the AUS ports.
DRW is not cheap for landing fee's and PAX Fee's, its only just had its Airport updated in the last 2yrs, way past when JQ pulled out - not to mention some of the flight timings ex DRW were shocking - i know, i operated some back in the day.

I'm not sure the fact that Jetstar did it badly makes if a bad idea. Eventually, Darwin must find a proper place within greater Australia, even if it takes a few years. Broome, too.

Why must DRW be a hub? Proximity to Asia?

JQflightie wrote:

Sure its a great place to visit for the overseas/Australian tourist, for those who have'nt been there before, however its expensive, accomodation is limited, and various tourist attractions are'nt exactly withing walking distance of Darwin City, that's not an attractive prospect for the LCC Traveler - unless you are into being a Backpacker, in that case may i suggest that your don't for get to shower weekly, and not in a creek because the crocs will get you.

Did someone say LCC?

mariner

Well i dont see any more Premium carriers rushing to go to DRW..... unless you are one of the traveling public who think Air Asia is a premium carrier?

qantas747 wrote:

JQflightie wrote:

waoz1 wrote:

Today tonight Perth addition did story on new upgrades rolling out at the airport. Interesting airport boss talk up japan but also said delegation in India this month trying to secure flights.

I remember BA as a kid did Perth-Bombay-London.

hmmm i wonder if this could spark the PER-SIN-BOM/BLR rumour again?
IndiGO have stated that they would like to expand into Europe, i wonder if expansion plans are in the pipeline for PER?
I know that on the QF71/QF77 many customers transit onwards to BOM/BLR could be viable?

Perhaps QF could introduce a direct flight from PER? It would get east coast feed and presumably could be done with an A330. I do hope this mini hub in PER will be bigger than just a couple of flights to LHR and CDG.

That would be great... QF just needs more 330's first...

qantas747 wrote:

I do hope this mini hub in PER will be bigger than just a couple of flights to LHR and CDG.

Aside from LHR, CDG, FRA, JNB and maybe BOM, where else though? Perhaps CPT? I can't see the Middle East working, or the rest of Africa.

mariner wrote:

I'm not sure the fact that Jetstar did it badly makes if a bad idea.

If an Asian LCC were given cabotage rights ex-DRW, would it be more viable? Whether or not this would be politically acceptable, I don't know.

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

qantas747 wrote:

I do hope this mini hub in PER will be bigger than just a couple of flights to LHR and CDG.

Aside from LHR, CDG, FRA, JNB and maybe BOM, where else though? Perhaps CPT? I can't see the Middle East working, or the rest of Africa.

mariner wrote:

I'm not sure the fact that Jetstar did it badly makes if a bad idea.

If an Asian LCC were given cabotage rights ex-DRW, would it be more viable? Whether or not this would be politically acceptable, I don't know.

Cheers,

C.

CPT keeps on getting thrown around, and i hope this is true. I definitely see South Africa as highly likely considering the state of SAA
FCO i would add to the mix too - but not high on the list of destinations, however QF still have the rights to go there.
PER-HKG/NRT is a must.

JQflightie wrote:

Well i dont see any more Premium carriers rushing to go to DRW..... unless you are one of the traveling public who think Air Asia is a premium carrier?

Neither do I. That's what provoked the discussion. But does a new airline have to be LLC? I don't know.

mariner

JQflightie wrote:

CPT

I could definitely see CPT, even as a seasonal service - it is not as far as Europe (so less costly to run), there are huge African interests in PER, and CPT tourism is booming.

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

JQflightie wrote:

CPT

I could definitely see CPT, even as a seasonal service - it is not as far as Europe (so less costly to run), there are huge African interests in PER, and CPT tourism is booming.

Cheers,

C.

If every tourist agreed to bring a flask of water with them, plus one to share, I could see a lot of incentive for flights to CPT.