Australian Aviation Thread - September 2018

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:08 am

Welcome to Australian Aviation Thread September 2018. Please continue discussion below. Link to last thread viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1400409

Qantas Fleet Thread

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1382753

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:11 am

A couple things on QF 789's

VH-ZNE has just landed in BNE after positioning from MEL
VH-ZND will operate inaugural MEL-SFO
VH-ZNF has entered international service today as QF9 MEL-PER-LHR

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:43 am

Alan Joyce takes home a smaller pay packet for this year

https://www.afr.com/business/qantas-chi ... al_twitter

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:49 am

The WA State Government along with Perth Airport have set aside a $30 million war chest to attract new airlines to PER to boost tourism

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/aviati ... b88947274z

melpax · Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:18 am

Anyone want to buy a couple of ex--Jetgo ERJs?

http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5035520 ... -aircrafts

waoz1 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:20 am

melpax wrote:
Anyone want to buy a couple of ex--Jetgo ERJs?

http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5035520 ... -aircrafts

Postage and shipping could be a killer

melpax · Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:24 am

waoz1 wrote:
Postage and shipping could be a killer

Especially the engine from Spain!

81819 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:49 am

I'd send them by air express. I hate waiting!

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 12:01 pm

Inaugural QF49 MEL-SFO is now airborne

https://www.flightradar24.com/QFA49/1db6a3af

Flight time is scheduled for 13 hours 13 minutes

https://twitter.com/AusBT/status/1035857320389963776

unrave · Sat Sep 01, 2018 12:17 pm

qf789 wrote:
VH-ZND will operate inaugural MEL-SFO

Wasn't this the same aircraft that did the inaugural PER-LHR?

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 12:25 pm

unrave wrote:
qf789 wrote:
VH-ZND will operate inaugural MEL-SFO

Wasn't this the same aircraft that did the inaugural PER-LHR?

Yes that is correct

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 12:28 pm

Flight plan for QF49 MEL-SFO

https://twitter.com/Keg767/status/1035865997582815232

qf789 · Sat Sep 01, 2018 1:03 pm

BITRE for June has been released

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1806.pdf

Some highlights

Traffic on PER-DOH increased 41.4% compared to June 2017
VA HKG service saw a improvement in LF, outboound at 83.9%, inbound 58.3% compared to QF 84.5% outbound and 69.2% inbound
PER-LHR outbound 6762 passengers 95.6%LF, LHR-PER 6586 passengers, 93% LF

bunumuring · Sat Sep 01, 2018 11:09 pm

Hey guys,
Firstly Happy Fathers Day to those who are fathers, caregivers and support men....
Secondly the austbt article about Singapore possibly buying out HNA's stake (and/or Etihad's stake) in Virgin Australia makes complete sense to me. I hope that it happens and that Singapore gives Virgin Australia a more focused outlook in planning a sustainable future.
Cheers
Bunumuring

waoz1 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 12:23 am

qf789 wrote:
BITRE for June has been released

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1806.pdf

Some highlights

Traffic on PER-DOH increased 41.4% compared to June 2017
VA HKG service saw a improvement in LF, outboound at 83.9%, inbound 58.3% compared to QF 84.5% outbound and 69.2% inbound
PER-LHR outbound 6762 passengers 95.6%LF, LHR-PER 6586 passengers, 93% LF

Interesting Perths EY passenger numbers have gone up even tho they are stopping services next month. Where are this passengers going to go? Is there enough capacity on EK and QR?

sq256 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:10 am

bunumuring wrote:
Hey guys,
Firstly Happy Fathers Day to those who are fathers, caregivers and support men....
Secondly the austbt article about Singapore possibly buying out HNA's stake (and/or Etihad's stake) in Virgin Australia makes complete sense to me. I hope that it happens and that Singapore gives Virgin Australia a more focused outlook in planning a sustainable future.
Cheers
Bunumuring

It's a matter of wait and see in regards to SQ's latest rumour of extending their stakes. There's been plenty of articles on SQ "buying/extending their VA stake" in the past and none of them has come to fruition.

Saying that, SQ has been hands-off in regards to their VA stake, as opposed to when they were involved in AN via their stake in NZ (where they were more hands on). It probably says where SQ's priorities are at atm.

Saying that, for the consumer's sake I do hope it's not yet another rumour, but I'm not holding my breath.

It's a shame that NZ's "Borghetti" aka Selwyn Cushing used his veto to block SQ from buying the other 50% stake in AN over 16 years ago, despite knowing fully well that NZ at the time did not have the capital to fix a sick and ailing AN.

qf789 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 4:42 am

Video of QF's first 789 service at JFK pulling into the gate

https://twitter.com/AirlineGeeks/status ... 0580382721

qf789 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 4:48 am

VH-ZND prior to departure for the inaugural SFO-MEL flight with VH-OEJ operating QF74 to SYD in the background, shame its not still in Wunala Dreaming livery as that would have been quite a picture

https://twitter.com/timjue/status/1036093425379041281

qf789 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 5:14 am

waoz1 wrote:
qf789 wrote:
BITRE for June has been released

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1806.pdf

Some highlights

Traffic on PER-DOH increased 41.4% compared to June 2017
VA HKG service saw a improvement in LF, outboound at 83.9%, inbound 58.3% compared to QF 84.5% outbound and 69.2% inbound
PER-LHR outbound 6762 passengers 95.6%LF, LHR-PER 6586 passengers, 93% LF

Interesting Perths EY passenger numbers have gone up even tho they are stopping services next month. Where are this passengers going to go? Is there enough capacity on EK and QR?

Looking at EY's passenger numbers out of all 4 ports their outbound LF was 97.2% yet they are cancelling PER and reducing capacity MEL and SYD which suggests they arent getting the right yields and their costs are too high.

Where PER is concerned EY is still carrying roughly 200 passengers a day each way, those numbers are what I have observed in recent weeks. Where QR is concerned there is rarely a day where EK brings or flys out with more passengers on their A380 service than QR. With EY leaving in a month's time I think it will help EK. Also bare in mind if need be the EK424/425 rotation which is usually flown by a mix of the 77L/77W can be operated by the 77W, of course if that is not enough they could always try the A388 again. I would also say that some who fly with EY now may be VA Velocity members and may now go to SQ in the future.

Qantas16 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 5:29 am

Lots of cuts to TG's Australia services from end of October onwards... don't have full details but apparently all ports are impacted.

Flyerqf · Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:14 am

[twoid][/twoid]

qf789 wrote:
VH-ZND prior to departure for the inaugural SFO-MEL flight with VH-OEJ operating QF74 to SYD in the background, shame its not still in Wunala Dreaming livery as that would have been quite a picture

https://twitter.com/timjue/status/1036093425379041281

The 744 is actually OEG. Nonetheless a great photo!

getluv · Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:53 am

qf789 wrote:
BITRE for June has been released

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1806.pdf

Some highlights

Traffic on PER-DOH increased 41.4% compared to June 2017
VA HKG service saw a improvement in LF, outboound at 83.9%, inbound 58.3% compared to QF 84.5% outbound and 69.2% inbound
PER-LHR outbound 6762 passengers 95.6%LF, LHR-PER 6586 passengers, 93% LF

You would hope so, considering it's/it's near school holidays. Their US LFs are just abysmal.

EK's SYD-CHC must be in the process of being review. Also some terrible numbers for NH and to a lesser extent JL. Goes to show the WA Gov will need throw a lot of money at airlines.

QF742 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:00 am

qf789 wrote:
BITRE for June has been released

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1806.pdf

Some highlights

Traffic on PER-DOH increased 41.4% compared to June 2017
VA HKG service saw a improvement in LF, outboound at 83.9%, inbound 58.3% compared to QF 84.5% outbound and 69.2% inbound
PER-LHR outbound 6762 passengers 95.6%LF, LHR-PER 6586 passengers, 93% LF

What is going on with JQ’s China service (Zenzhou). Load factor was about 30% inbound and 50% outbound (or may have been the other way). Either way it’s very bad compared to the high LFs on all other JQ international routes. The loads seem to be ordinary in previous months as well. Will this route get canned?

getluv · Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:04 am

QF742 wrote:
qf789 wrote:
BITRE for June has been released

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1806.pdf

Some highlights

Traffic on PER-DOH increased 41.4% compared to June 2017
VA HKG service saw a improvement in LF, outboound at 83.9%, inbound 58.3% compared to QF 84.5% outbound and 69.2% inbound
PER-LHR outbound 6762 passengers 95.6%LF, LHR-PER 6586 passengers, 93% LF

What is going on with JQ’s China service (Zenzhou). Load factor was about 30% inbound and 50% outbound (or may have been the other way). Either way it’s very bad compared to the high LFs on all other JQ international routes. The loads seem to be ordinary in previous months as well. Will this route get canned?

I think JQ has an arrangement with a Chinese travel agent and that this is more of a charter flight. Any losses are being incurred by the travel agent and not JQ.

Once the contract ends, I'm sure this will free up a plane for JQ.

qf789 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:44 am

MH sent the A350 to SYD for the first time today, 9M-MAE operated the flight, for pictures refer to following link

https://twitter.com/www16Right/status/1 ... 8568553473

qf789 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:46 am

Last night's EY455 SYD-AUH operated by A388 A6-APH diverted to CMB

https://twitter.com/a380fanclub/status/ ... 6596310017

qf789 · Sun Sep 02, 2018 10:38 am

Photos of the first QF 789 arrival into JFK

https://twitter.com/ShaquilleAKhan/stat ... 6901847041

https://twitter.com/AirlineGeeks/status ... 7273516033

oskarclare · Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:14 pm

Qantas16 wrote:
Lots of cuts to TG's Australia services from end of October onwards... don't have full details but apparently all ports are impacted.

Looks like BNE being reduced to 4x weekly. TG473/474 operating SUN, MON, WED, FRI 788. Bit confused as to why though. Load Factors not the worst. 6x weekly may have been better suited but not 4x.

ZK-NBT · Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:47 pm

oskarclare wrote:
Qantas16 wrote:
Lots of cuts to TG's Australia services from end of October onwards... don't have full details but apparently all ports are impacted.

Looks like BNE being reduced to 4x weekly. TG473/474 operating SUN, MON, WED, FRI 788. Bit confused as to why though. Load Factors not the worst. 6x weekly may have been better suited but not 4x.

Bit odd aye. MEL is 14 weekly A350 and SYD. 11x 744, maybe replaces by a smaller frame? Or an A380 1 daily same for MEL?

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:46 am

WA's Tourism Minister just did an interview on CNBC in Singapore, in which he reiterated work was being done for direct flights from WA to 1) Japan, 2) Shanghai and 3) India (albeit without giving specifics). He also said that WA is working with CZ on getting PER - CAN upgraded to a daily service.

One interesting thing he mentioned was wanting the visa application process for Indonesian tourists to be significantly less burdensome, as he thinks WA has a lot of potential for more Indonesian tourism. I wonder if PER would ever get flights to SUB, which has a metro area of ~10 million people? For JQ?

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:49 am

With the new Indonesia - Australia FTA, what new routes between these two countries could develop out of increased trade? SUB, with a metro population of ~10 million, seems like a large gap in Australia's connectivity. Could SYD / MEL - SUB on MAX's or NEO's be viable? I also wonder if we might see some fifth-freedom flights in this corridor - for example, on SQ, which has had plans to launch CGK - SYD.

Cheers,

C.

oskarclare · Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:52 am

planemanofnz wrote:
With the new Indonesia - Australia FTA, what new routes between these two countries could develop out of increased trade? SUB, with a metro population of ~10 million, seems like a large gap in Australia's connectivity. Could SYD / MEL - SUB on MAX's or NEO's be viable? I also wonder if we might see some fifth-freedom flights in this corridor - for example, on SQ, which has had plans to launch CGK - SYD.

Cheers,

C.

You would think BNE-CGK?

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:52 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
TG ... SYD. 11x 744

Wasn't TG making SYD 14x weekly 359's, to improve connectivity options through BKK?

That seems to have fallen through, as the 744 is still showing in the system through 2019.

See: https://blueswandaily.com/thai-airways- ... in-1h2018/.

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:00 am

oskarclare wrote:
BNE-CGK

On which airline? It'd be great to see GA back at BNE - they used to have an AKL tag through BNE too - but GA is a financial mess at the moment, so I wouldn't hold my breath. At ~5,500 km, this route would need a MAX or NEO (I doubt it could support a wide-body). One potential alternative could be CGK - OOL on QZ (as D7 already serves OOL over BNE), but again, the 333 seems like too much.

Cheers,

C.

qf789 · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:03 am

Unfortunately we have learnt that one of our valued a.net contributors, mariner has passed away due to illness. For those wishing to pay their respects there is a thread open, please refer to

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1403009

Dan23 · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:03 am

There appears to be an issue with VH-ZNF in London. QF10 (2SEP) has not left LHR yet. QF website is showing current expected arrival in PER of 0630 on Tuesday and todays QF10 PER-MEL as cancelled.

ZND is flying QF485 MEL-PER now. This afternoons QF9 MEL-PER is still scheduled to be operated by A330.

qf789 · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:16 am

Dan23 wrote:
There appears to be an issue with VH-ZNF in London. QF10 (2SEP) has not left LHR yet. QF website is showing current expected arrival in PER of 0630 on Tuesday and todays QF10 PER-MEL as cancelled.

ZND is flying QF485 MEL-PER now. This afternoons QF9 MEL-PER is still scheduled to be operated by A330.

This is going to throw a spanner in the works so to speak. ZNF is scheduled to be flying just between PER & LHR for the remainder of the week due to the equipment changes on the PER-MEL legs of QF9 and QF10. Today's PER-LHR has been delayed to 8am tomorrow for an 1805 arrival tomorrow night. So it is going to take some time to catch up

QF742 · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:26 am

planemanofnz wrote:
With the new Indonesia - Australia FTA, what new routes between these two countries could develop out of increased trade? SUB, with a metro population of ~10 million, seems like a large gap in Australia's connectivity. Could SYD / MEL - SUB on MAX's or NEO's be viable? I also wonder if we might see some fifth-freedom flights in this corridor - for example, on SQ, which has had plans to launch CGK - SYD.

Cheers,

C.

It’s an interesting one. Given a population of ~250m in Indonesia (and our closest neighbour) there is relatively limited service to Australia outside Bali. I think Surabaya and Jogjakarta are possibilities going forward. I’m not familiar with Visa requirements for Indonesians but I would imagine that if they are tight, it would impact Indonesian originating traffic (which would likely be the drivers in cities like CGK, SUB and Jogjakarta).

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:29 am

The WA State Government and Perth Airport have committed a $30 million war chest to attract new international airlines to PER to boost tourism. The money would be used for destination marketing agreements with individual airlines to help drive demand for the new routes.

Interestingly:

- The response from the six airlines on the recent WA/PER delegation to India was "positive"
- "Insiders" (whoever they are) say both major Japanese airlines (NH / JL) are keen on PER

It also seems like the trial MU PER - PVG flights have not yet been sorted out - "Hopes are high that China Eastern Airlines will firm up a commitment to fly from Shanghai to Perth." Here's hoping they can get those flights started in the near future - that would be great to see.

See:
- https://thewest.com.au/news/aviation/pe ... b88945444z.
- https://www.watoday.com.au/national/wes ... 50159.html.

Cheers,

C.

getluv · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:37 am

planemanofnz wrote:

Interestingly:

- The response from the six airlines on the recent WA/PER delegation to India was "positive"

Seriously? You really find that interesting?

The WA Government is clutching at straws.

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:39 am

getluv wrote:
planemanofnz wrote:

Interestingly:

- The response from the six airlines on the recent WA/PER delegation to India was "positive"

Do you really find that interesting? The WA Government is clutching at straws.

I find the response being "very positive" to be interesting, yes, because I didn't think those Indian airlines would be interested in PER (particularly given how both AI and 9W are a mess right now). Unless, of course, the "very positive" statement was just spin?

Cheers,

C.

getluv · Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:41 am

Of course it was spin. Look at the source.

Airlines evaluate routes all the time. If it really was positive they would have secured a commitment and they wouldn't have said anything until something was announced.

eta unknown · Mon Sep 03, 2018 2:16 am

TG BNE has been on life support for a while- only the 787 operating costs saved it. I think the split schedule (afternoon or late evening) was designed to see which connecting traffic routes (Europe or India) were more profitable.

Re NH terrible numbers: doesn't surprise me when you see how the Australian operation is being run with a GSA that has no concept of fare filing vis a vis basic supply and demand principles.

Indo routes: only SUB would be viable (JOG numbers aren't that great) and as all the traffic would be SUB originating, only an Indonesian carrier could attempt it. However, as PER-JKT flights often struggle, I doubt we'll see anything ex SUB for a while.

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 2:39 am

eta unknown wrote:
TG BNE has been on life support for a while- only the 787 operating costs saved it.

If you don't mind me asking - why is BNE - BKK so unviable? BNE seems less competitive than other ports?

Cheers,

C.

F100Flyer · Mon Sep 03, 2018 3:28 am

Qantas16 wrote:
Lots of cuts to TG's Australia services from end of October onwards... don't have full details but apparently all ports are impacted.

Effective October 28th, PER sees a swap back to A330-300 from 788, although appears to remain daily.

jrfspa320 · Mon Sep 03, 2018 3:30 am

F100Flyer wrote:
Qantas16 wrote:
Lots of cuts to TG's Australia services from end of October onwards... don't have full details but apparently all ports are impacted.

Effective October 28th, PER sees a swap back to A330-300 from 788, although appears to remain daily.

Interesting, as this is actually an up-gauge of equipment

F100Flyer · Mon Sep 03, 2018 3:41 am

Samoa Airways launches twice weekly flights to BNE, effective November 13th using 737-800.

https://www.ausbt.com.au/samoa-airways- ... ource=grid

ZK-NBT · Mon Sep 03, 2018 3:55 am

jrfspa320 wrote:
F100Flyer wrote:
Qantas16 wrote:
Lots of cuts to TG's Australia services from end of October onwards... don't have full details but apparently all ports are impacted.

Effective October 28th, PER sees a swap back to A330-300 from 788, although appears to remain daily.

Interesting, as this is actually an up-gauge of equipment

That is loaded now I noticed, the 788 have had long haul crew rest added which PER doesn’t need.

Not Australia related but MUC is the only other long haul 744 route outside SYD and that is now showing 77W, I’d imagine SYD could lose the 744 pretty soon now. No idea for MEL if it’s getting a cut.

planemanofnz · Mon Sep 03, 2018 4:00 am

F100Flyer wrote:
Samoa Airways launches twice weekly flights to BNE, effective November 13th using 737-800.

https://www.ausbt.com.au/samoa-airways- ... ource=grid

Given their BITRE loads on SYD - APW, I can't see them lasting to be honest.

Cheers,

C.

A330freak · Mon Sep 03, 2018 4:42 am

ZK-NBT wrote:
oskarclare wrote:
Qantas16 wrote:
Lots of cuts to TG's Australia services from end of October onwards... don't have full details but apparently all ports are impacted.

Looks like BNE being reduced to 4x weekly. TG473/474 operating SUN, MON, WED, FRI 788. Bit confused as to why though. Load Factors not the worst. 6x weekly may have been better suited but not 4x.

Bit odd aye. MEL is 14 weekly A350 and SYD. 11x 744, maybe replaces by a smaller frame? Or an A380 1 daily same for MEL?

Doing a few dummy bookings for BKK-SYD in November, it appears that the 4 weekly TG471 / 472 service is closed for booking.

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