Qantas Airbus A330 Fleet Refurbishment

[Fred C]

Anticipating the next question. EBD will then follow it in maint until the end of the month then EBL.

[Christopher Campbell]

thanks Fred

[Christopher Campbell]

Anticipating the next question. EBD will then follow it in maint until the end of the month then EBL.

So this is how the last 2 are scheduled to be refurbished.

EBP > (early September) EBG
EBL (next weekend) > EBD > (end of month) EBL

[Brad Myer]

Once the upgrades are complete Im guessing QF will pretty much gain an entire spare frame.

Wonder what they have planned for it?

[Ash W]

Heard rumours of CGK going daily. So there is 3/7th's of an aircraft.

[Max C]

There's also a few A333's that need painting so that'll take a month or two.

[Max C]

EBO due for a test flight today.

[Christopher Campbell]

VH-EBD entered BNE maintence last night.
VH-EBO returned to service this morning operating QF501

[Christopher Campbell]

When is EBP returning to service from refurbishment?

[Brad Myer]

EBP will be out later this week.

Word is EBG/L (the last 2 to be upgraded) have had their upgrades delayed and possibly cancelled.

Anyone know more?

[C Patters]

Geez I hope that's not right Brad as the product on EBG/L is very tired & needs the refurb urgently.

[Ash W]

I've been saying this in Australian frequent flyer, if these two get refurbished the same as the other -200's what would Qantas fly to HNL? As I understand it the 200's were refurbished primarily for domestic and shorter international and lack galley space and crew rest areas for the longer international flights. I think these will get refurbished at some point but I've always had a question mark over if they would have a different config compared to the rest to allow for longer flights.

Maybe HNL might be the first 787 destination with these two remaining as is until then and either refurbished or dumped like the 2 other international -200's Qantas used to operate.

[Brad Myer]

Its easily fixed....

Replace the A333 on the MNL run with A332s and then send the A333 to HNL.

QF have 8 A332s with seat back video that can be used for Asian international flying.

[Dave C]

I'd heard 2 more may be going to the RAAF. The other 2 with the Skybed. Is that them?

[Max C]

All you need is a further slowdown in the PER market and QF could easily adjust A330 capacity on those routes.

The first B787-9 will be here in a little over a year so it wouldn't be out of the question to leave the 2 Skybed A330's in service until then.

They've had 2 non-refurb 747's in service for a few years.

[Greg Hyde]

I'd heard 2 more may be going to the RAAF. The other 2 with the Skybed. Is that them?

More RAAF tankers ?

[Dave C]

Not sure. Just heard that there were 4 (the Skybed international ones) that were all the same. I don't know the Rego's so it may not be related.

[Christopher Campbell]

Refurbished VH-EBP has returned to service.
Only 2 to go!

[Christopher Campbell]

So EBL is finally in for refurbishment?

[MarkR]

Once the upgrades are complete Im guessing QF will pretty much gain an entire spare frame.

Wonder what they have planned for it?

Daily MEL-NRT flights announced.

http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-adds-new-route-to-japan-to-meet-growing-demand/

Qantas will launch daily direct flights between Melbourne and Tokyo’s Narita Airport from 16th December 2016,* responding to growing demand and marking the next step in its Asian growth strategy.
The new route will be operated by an upgraded, two-class A330-300 with 297 seats – the aircraft widely seen as best in class for the business market.
It adds to Qantas’ popular Sydney-Tokyo (Haneda) and Brisbane -Tokyo (Narita) services, launched in 2015, and will connect travellers with the broader Qantas Group network – including Jetstar’s extensive domestic network within Japan and the Group’s services across the Tasman.
The number of visitors to Australia from Japan grew by 17 per cent in 2015/16 financial year, with those travellers spending $1.5 billion – up 14 per cent on the previous year. Outbound travel by Australians to Japan is also growing rapidly, having seen a 24 per cent increase in 2015.
Qantas and Jetstar will both operate flights from Melbourne to Tokyo (Narita) during the December 2016-February 2017 holiday peak. Jetstar will then cease flights on the direct route after the 25th February, 2017.

[Dave C]

I'd heard 2 more may be going to the RAAF. The other 2 with the Skybed. Is that them?



I'd have to say that I think this just couldn't be true. With MEL-NRT, they wouldn't have enough airplanes. Great news:)



MarkR. It's Narita, not Haneda.

[C Patters]

Does anyone know why QPJ is currently positioning HNL-VCV as QF6003?

[Rowan McKeever]

Possibly a military charter? The A330MRTTs have used VCV before for troop movements.

[Rowan McKeever]

It's been suggested on another forum that perhaps QPJ is in VCV for a repaint...

[C Patters]

Geez VCV is a long way to position the aircraft for a repaint.......would of thought Singapore is the best location for that to take place.

[Jason Carruthers]

It's been suggested on another forum that perhaps QPJ is in VCV for a repaint...


Sorry I think that was me. To clear things up I don't have any inside info. That post on airliners was mere speculation on my part. To my knowledge QPJ is still in old roo and there are repainting facilities at VCV. Given that it stopped in HNL on the way suggests a charter is more likely as a empty 333 shouldn't have a problem fron SYD nonstop especially westbound.

[Fred C]

It is on its way for a repaint at VCV as suggested.

[Anthony F]

Special livery?

[Greg Hyde]

From QF Source

QANTAS A330-300 VH-QPJ Positions to Victorville Maintenance.

October 10, 2016

QANTAS A330-300 VH-QPJ positioned Sydney – Honolulu – Victorville early this morning as QF6003. It is now clear that this is for repaint at So Cal Logistics.

[Todd Hendry]

Camel??????

[Greg Hyde]

Only two to RAAF by this report

http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/10/raaf-kc-30-tanker-to-be-modified-for-vip-transport/

[Adam W]

Special livery?

Retro Roo III. TAA/Australian Airlines. :p

[Christopher Campbell]

Quote from Gareth Evans QF International CEO

"We’ve almost finished the refurbishment of our A330 fleet at the Brisbane Maintenance Facility". . .

QANTAS UNVEILS NEW BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE - Qantas News Room

[Greg Hyde]

Not Retro Roo but New Roo

http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=11282

[C Patters]

Looks like VH-QPH is off for a repaint into the new Livery. Currently operating QF6003 from SYD.

[Anthony F]

Retro Roo III. TAA/Australian Airlines. :p

Close - New roo :)

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas mulls over leases of two Airbus A330-200s

Qantas is pausing its Airbus A330 refurbishment program as the airline considers whether to extend the leases of two A330-200s.

The A330-200s – VH-EBL and VH-EBG – are the two remaining aircraft in the fleet of 10 A330-300s and 18 A330-200s yet to be fitted with new Thompson Aero Seating business class seats, an updated economy cabin and new Panasonic inflight entertainment systems throughout the cabin.

Instead, the pair of Airbus widebodies have angled lie-flat SkyBeds in business class in a 2-2-2 configuration and previous generation Rockwell Collins seat-back inflight entertainment (IFE).

Full story

http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/11/qantas-mulls-over-leases-of-two-airbus-a330-200s/

[Ash W]

Bit confused about the "lease" arrangement with EBG and EBL. Looking at the aircraft register it seems as if these two aircraft are owned by Australian based finance companies, which says to me they are really Qantas "owned" but under mortgage to the finance company. Whereas the 2 international -200's that have already left the fleet were leased from CIT. I also seem to recall that when Qantas got these 4 aircraft that 2 were part of the A380 delay compensation and two were leased from CIT. The two that have gone to the RAAF were without doubt the leased aircraft, hence the question mark I have over EBG and EBL.

Looking at the registered owner of the aircraft from the aircraft register it seems as if EBM and EBO onwards are owned by known leasing companies.

EBM C.I.T. LEASING CORPORATION
EBO AWAS
EBP C.I.T. LEASING CORPORATION
EBQ C.I.T. LEASING CORPORATION
EBR AWAS
EBS C.I.T. LEASING CORPORATION
EBV ALC AIRCRAFT HOLDINGS I, LLC

But all up to EBM seem to be owned but under finance, except EBD and EBF which don't appear to be under finance.

EBA QANTAS EBA G.I.E.
EBB QANTAS EBB G.I.E.
EBC QANTAS EBC G.I.E.
EBD QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED
EBE QF BOC 2008-2 PTY LIMITED
EBF QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED
EBG OAS AUSTRALIA INVESTMENTS LIMITED
EBJ WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
EBK OAS AUSTRALIA INVESTMENTS LIMITED
EBL CBA AIR PTY LTD

EBN could be either it isn't as clear as the rest of the fleet. Jessica leasing appears to be a 'shell' finance company, but being based in Ireland it is possible that someone like CIT are using them to finance the aircraft or it could be Qantas directly.

EBN JESSICA LEASING LIMITED

[MarkR]

It could be other aircraft that they are looking at the lease terms for, possibly doing a swap back should they decide they are excess to requirements?? Or it could be just a smoke screen covering other reasons?

[Rowan McKeever]

It's actually been quoted as EBG & EBL that are under review. I can't find anything definitive (in all honesty, I didn't look overly hard) but from what I did find (registered address etc) I'm not convinced OAS Australia Investments Limited is part of Qantas Airways Limited, certainly not in the wat we've become used to seeing Qantas's internal leasing structures.

[Todd Hendry]

I'm assuming they'll be used for PEK. They are the only A332's with a crew rest.

[MarkR]

It's actually been quoted as EBG & EBL that are under review. I can't find anything definitive (in all honesty, I didn't look overly hard) but from what I did find (registered address etc) I'm not convinced OAS Australia Investments Limited is part of Qantas Airways Limited, certainly not in the wat we've become used to seeing Qantas's internal leasing structures.

Did a bit of digging and it's Orix Leasing and Comm Bank.

[Rowan McKeever]

Nice one with your digging, Mark :)

I'm assuming they'll be used for PEK. They are the only A332's with a crew rest.

EBM onwards also have tech crew rest for longer flights - seat 7A. One less seat than EBG and EBL but then again EBG and EBL were among those used for AKL-LAX back in the day, and only have seats in pairs (there are no single seats like there are in the new cabins).

[Dave C]

The seat in the cabin can only extend the fight time by 1 hour. So they can only fly max 9 hour sectors. (Might be 9.5, I'm not totally sure)

What I had heard was that these (these 2 and the other 2 that went to the RAAF) aircraft were all produced for Qantas to the same spec. The RAAF wants them as they are the same as the other 2 the just got, so the leasing company has jacked up the price. So Qantas is looking at wether they should offload them. As Todd says , they need them for PEK. They can't use any other -200 to fly that sector due to the limitation above.

The use of the seat in the cabin for AKL-LAX and SYD-BOM was a limited agreement, now expired, but it was only for the second crew rest, due to the requirement to have 4 pilots on those sectors. The aircraft had the normal crew rest also.

[Ash W]

Did a bit of digging and it's Orix Leasing and Comm Bank.

So one leased and one financed, so means the story about handing these two back at end of lease doesn't stack up, which was the point I was making.

I'm assuming they'll be used for PEK. They are the only A332's with a crew rest.

Yeah that is the second thing that doesn't make sense, they need to use them for PEK. But beleive the issue which has lead to these two not being refurbished isn't crew rest, but galley space.

[Rowan McKeever]

Dave, where's your 9 hour limit come from? Is that from an EBA between QF & the QFi pilots? CAO48 permits a tour of duty of 16 hours for a 3+ person crew; within that, there's a limit of 14hrs active duty, 9hrs of which can be consecutive.

So one leased and one financed, so means the story about handing these two back at end of lease doesn't stack up, which was the point I was making.

No, both leased. OAS Australia Investments Limited is owned by Orix Leasing and Comm Bank, and VH-EBG & VH-EBL are leased from OAS.

[Dave C]

It's definitely in the agreement, but I also think CAO 48 talks about class 1 and Class 2 crew rests. In any case it can't happen in QF. Without those aircraft, or the use of a -300, QF can't operate an A330 to PEK.

[Greg Hyde]

Won't the A330 fleet be eventually be replaced by B789 ?

If the performance and fuel saving of B789 over the A330 speed up their demise ?

Considering with realistic B789 performance data now available could this be an initial fleet rationalization with the B789 less than twelve months from delivery ?

[MarkR]

No, both leased. OAS Australia Investments Limited is owned by Orix Leasing and Comm Bank, and VH-EBG & VH-EBL are leased from OAS.

OAS owns EBG and is Orix, EBL is owned by CBA air with is of course CommBank, both are leased.

[Rowan McKeever]

OAS owns EBG and is Orix, EBL is owned by CBA air with is of course CommBank, both are leased.
That's a horse of a different colour then isn't it, sorry folks!

[C Patters]

Does anyone know when QPH will return after being repainted?

[Rowan McKeever]

Does anyone know when QPH will return after being repainted?
Should be home this weekend... apparently scheduled to leave VCV Friday US-time.

[Dennis McLean]

It is on the way, left KVCV Friday at 10.27am PST and due at PHNL at 1.37pm HST.

[Chris Z]

VH-QPH just departed Honolulu (at 1pm Sydney time, Sat).

[Dennis McLean]

On the way to BNE, due 9.03pm tonight.

[Rowan McKeever]

Cheers Dennis, I was thinking SYD was going to be mighty tight with curfew and wondered if she was on for Brissie.

[Greg Hyde]

Did QPH Get a repaint ?

From QF Source

QANTAS A330-300 VH-QPH Returns from Victorville Maintenance.
November 11, 2016
QANTAS A330-300 VH-QPH, which has been under maintenance at Victorville since 27th October, positioned Victorville – Honolulu – Brisbane this morning as QF6004.

[Rowan McKeever]

Sure did, Greg, have seen a photo on facebook of her landing in BNE.

QPI enroute to SIN now as QF81 and I'm told will be repainted in SIN while she's there.

[Greg Hyde]

thanks

May interest some

http://hnlrarebirds.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/qantas-vh-qph-in-new-livery.html

[Dave C]

Rumour has it that 4-5 -200's will be reconfigured "again" to include a real tech crew rest, another J class toilet and a galley capable of a double meal service. This will be in addition to the 2 non reconfigured ones (as mentioned earlier, they seem to be staying) which will also be done.
If it's true it's a good decision.
Looks like more long haul flying for the A330, which will undoubtedly mean more 737 transcontinental services.

[Yusef D]

More 737s and fewer A330s on transcon for both teams then.

[Ash W]

Looks like more long haul flying for the A330, which will undoubtedly mean more 737 transcontinental services.

No necessarily. There are already about that many A330-200's flying international routes now.

My guess if they do this it will be the newer ones with fixed seat IFE (which are the ones that mostly appear on international routes anyway).

[Dave C]

No necessarily. There are already about that many A330-200's flying international routes now.

But with the requirement for the crew rest and 2 meal services, would that not indicate something other than Singapore and Jakarta in the future for these aircraft? My feeling is that they wouldn't spend the money.

[Brad Myer]

Both EBG/EBL could just become IPAD domestic A332s if that works out cheaper? With all 8 current IFE fitted suite A332s to get extra toilet and crew rest?

Im guessing its so the A332s can do PEK and HNL in the future.

[Ash W]

But with the requirement for the crew rest and 2 meal services, would that not indicate something other than Singapore and Jakarta in the future for these aircraft? My feeling is that they wouldn't spend the money.

Well the 332's are required for PEK and are better size/load wise for HNL, so would without doubt used there. And converting more could be to allow for better utilisation by giving more routes the subfleet could fly to. Also no room for duty free on the current suite seat 332's either.

Both EBG/EBL could just become IPAD domestic A332s if that works out cheaper? With all 8 current IFE fitted suite A332s to get extra toilet and crew rest?

Im guessing its so the A332s can do PEK and HNL in the future.

Yeah reckin that is why (and as mentioned above to give a larger subfleet for utilisation purposes). And re config could well be what they do, guess depends what is cheaper re-configuring toilets and galleys or putting in new seats and IFE down the back.

[Dennis McLean]

Does anyone know what work is being done on QPA which has been in BNE since 28 November? A C check perhaps??

[Dennis McLean]

333, VH QPA ferried BNE/SYD as QF6000 at 04.13 today arriving at 06.23. It is now on its way to HKG as QF117 departing at 08.20.

[Reece perram]

QPI's repaint is in the 'new' 787 livery

[Paul L]

QPI was done over a month ago

[Ash W]

Saw both repainted A330's in Singapore the other week, along with 2 in the older liver. Was an interesting comparison as all 4 were more or less side by side.

[Richard H.]

So by my count that's three 333's repainted in the new 'silveroo' colours now; H, I & J.
I wonder what will be next up? Presumably they'll start on the 738s still wearing the old 1984 colours.

[Dennis McLean]

VH-EBQ has been in the hanger at BNE now since 12 January. Is this just a "C" check or as Dave C mentioned in his post on 9 December the possible start of a new "sub class" for routes that need a real tech crew rest and extra toilet and larger galley? EBG & L seem to be a fixture on Beijing on alternate days and some days on the late SIN service, but not every day. Either could do a domestic instead of SIN. I guess it is a possibility that Q could go to SIN for a repaint after the current work is done.

[Dennis McLean]

after a 3 hour approximately test flight yesterday, the graph looked like a ball of string in knots, EBQ goes back into service today on QF51 BNE/SIN. It's place in the hanger appears to have been taken by QPC

[C Patters]

Has anyone heard what is happening with EBG & EBL & whether they will get a refurb soon? EBG is currently operating QF29 to HKG........feel sorry for those passengers getting an older generation product when the route is meant to be operated by a refurbed A333.

[MarkR]

I suspect if they were going to get the refurb it would have happened in the last few months, instead I reckon they are just flying out their leases. Qantas did confirm in the results announcement that the refurb program was complete.

[Gary Smith8]

KC30 8 and 9 for the RAAF?

[Todd Hendry]

Where is this rumour coming from?

[Gary Smith8]

Read the White Paper.

[Gary Smith8]

Where is this rumour coming from?

The Government will extend the range of combat and surveillance aircraft, acquiring two additional KC‐30A air‐to‐air refuellers before the end of this decade for a total of seven aircraft. Expanding the fleet to nine aircraft in the longer term will be considered to meet increasing demand

[Todd Hendry]

So where does that say it's EBG and EBL?

[Kent Broadhead]

It doesn't, and Gary had a ? at the end of his comment.

The logic seems fine, but whether these would be the frames is still to be confirmed.

[Todd Hendry]

Yeah. I totally understand. Was hoping someone knew something concrete.

[C Patters]

Great news Qantas have announced today that EBG & EBL will be getting a refurb in 2018 as their leases have been extended.

[Christopher Campbell]

Great news Qantas have announced today that EBG & EBL will be getting a refurb in 2018 as their leases have been extended.

Can you please share the link for this exciting news!

[C Patters]

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-full-year-2017-financial-result/

New lounges at both ends of the landmark Perth-London route will be completed during FY18, and two remaining A330s will have their cabins upgraded following lease extensions.

[Christopher Campbell]

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-full-year-2017-financial-result/

New lounges at both ends of the landmark Perth-London route will be completed during FY18, and two remaining A330s will have their cabins upgraded following lease extensions.

Thanks

[Greg Hyde]

EBH commences new career.

Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley

http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/09/sixth-raaf-kc-30a-arrives-at-amberley/