QANTAS Fleet and Operations

[Brett o]

Thank you James

[MarkR]

With OQB arriving back from AUH last week QANTAS has been using this and other A380s on tech crew training flights of less than an hour from SYD. This will no doubt boost the available pilots to operate the additional A380 flights with daily QF1/2 and six days per week QF11/12 now scheduled.

Those short flights are more likely cabin crew training, not pilots

[James Smith]

The QANTAS Media Release for the A321P2F order contained the following sentence:

Two A330s are currently undergoing conversion. One will be used on the domestic network, and the other will join QANTAS’ international freight network.

VH-EBE & EBF are still continuing to fly domestic routes for QANTAS. One is due to fly to Dresden this month, according to an earlier media release and the other to Mobile in November.

Is there any update on the return to service of A332s VH-EBB & EBD? I presumed that their return to service would coincide with the withdrawal date of the aircraft to be converted, to maintain the existing level of A330 passenger operations. Can any of our Brisbane spotters tell us if either of these aircraft are currently in the QANTAS hanger being serviced?

[Michael Mak]

VH-EBV A332 ferried SYD-HKG as QF6011 yesterday (16 August), is it for maintenance? Is EBV replacing another A332 which has been in maintenance in HKG?

[C Patters]

I think Michael EBV is replacing EBO which has been in HKG for maintenance

[Dennis McLean]

I went past the hanger about 3 weeks ago. EBD was still outside and I saw a 330 tail inside but did not get the rego but presume is was EBB

[Michael Mak]

I think Michael EBV is replacing EBO which has been in HKG for maintenance

Thanks - I was trying to work out if there was already another A332 in HKG but FR24 record only goes back to a month.

[Brett o]

I think VH EBO has left Hong Kong and may be landing in Manila at the moment

[Kent Broadhead]

Has the new A350 training centre at St Peters been mentioned here previously?

"Qantas is opening a multimillion-dollar purpose-built pilot training centre in Sydney’s south, as it gears up to run a range of new routes and aircraft to meet the renewed appetite for global travel."

Read more: https://amp.smh.com.au/business/companies/qantas-unveils-new-100m-flight-training-site-20220817-p5baiv.html

[Michael Mak]

VH-EBO performed a 3 hour 30 minutes MNL-MNL test flight on Thursday August 18.

[James Smith]

Thanks Michael. VH-EBO has a flight plan to fly MNL-SYD today but is late departing. The aircraft was flown to HKG on 3/7/22 for maintenance, then flown to MNL on 17/8/22 and performed a long test flight on 18/8/22.

It looks as though the maintenance was performed in HKG but the test flight in MNL. Luckily, there were no issues with the aircraft during the 2 hour ferry flight to MNL. Is this a usual occurrence?

[MarkR]

Thanks Michael. VH-EBO has a flight plan to fly MNL-SYD today but is late departing. The aircraft was flown to HKG on 3/7/22 for maintenance, then flown to MNL on 17/8/22 and performed a long test flight on 18/8/22.

It looks as though the maintenance was performed in HKG but the test flight in MNL. Luckily, there were no issues with the aircraft during the 2 hour ferry flight to MNL. Is this a usual occurrence?

Something may have been done in MNL, doesn’t make sense to fly there to do a test flight.

[Ben W]

Anyone know why OQK has been sitting at LAX all week?

[James Smith]

VH-EBO has a flight plan to fly MNL-SYD today but is late departing.

VH-EBO as QF6034 is on its way and due into SYD at 20:26 this evening.

[Jim M]

Can anyone tell me what is happening with A333 QPG? Apparently been in BNE since 13/4/22 and looks like the only A333 not flying at present...

[Brenden S]

C Check

[Michael Mak]

EBO re-entered service as QF81 SYD-SIN on 20/8, currently operating QF52 SIN-BNE.

[James Smith]

Anyone know why OQK has been sitting at LAX all week?

Ben, VH-OQK has just arrived in SYD from LAX as QF12D operating this morning's QF12. I'm not aware of why it was in LAX for a week but guessing an unserviceability.

VH-OQB arrived this morning as QF2 and then departed as QF11 resulting in today's QF1 dependent on the arrival of QF12D operated by OQK. With the late arrival QF1 is now scheduled to depart at 6:00 tomorrow morning.

[Michael Mak]

VH-OQK operated the delayed QF1 (scheduled to depart at 15:55 on 21/8 but departed at 06:53 on 22/8), it arrived at SIN at 12:34 on August 22. It is now operating QF7001 overflying Turkey, heading towards Europe - final destination is presumably LHR?

[James Smith]

Qantas will recommence flights to New York, with a new service from Australia to the Big Apple via Auckland from 14 June next year.

The launch of QF3 and QF4 will see the flying kangaroo return to New York three days a week initially, after a three-year COVID-induced hiatus. Flights will be operated by its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with three new aircraft scheduled for delivery next year.

Interesting announcement by QANTAS this morning returning to JFK with the flight numbers QF3 & QF4 being used again. It is assumed that the flights will only operate via AKL until replaced by A351s as part of Project Sunrise. Air NZ will be ecstatic.

The other revelation is that it looks as though VH-ZNL,M&N wont be delivered until next year based, on the last sentence.

Source: QANTAS New Room https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-announces-direct-auckland-new-york-flights-and-upgrade-to-lounges/

[James Smith]

The schedule for the New York flights is now up on the QANTAS booking site with departure from SYD at 10:05 on Wed, Fri and Sun with arrival in JFK at 17:15 via AKL - QF3. The return flight departs JFK at 19:30 same day with arrival in SYD at 8:05 on Tue, Fri and Sun - QF4. B789 operating with commencement on 14/6/23.

[James Smith]

Further reading of the full QANTAS end of year announcement has stated the following regarding its fleet:

All Qantas and Jetstar aircraft based in Australia and New Zealand have returned to flying, with the exception of some Airbus A380s. Five A380s with updated interiors have now returned to service with the remaining five to follow by December 2023, once mid-life maintenance is completed. Qantas International is due to receive its three remaining Boeing 787-900s by the end of FY23.

Source: QANTAS News Room: https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-posts-third-major-loss-from-pandemic-strong-recovery-underway/

A couple of A332s are also still to return to service.

[Rowan McKeever]

I think the thing with the A332s is that two of them are not returning to passenger operations, so the two that currently remain parked will effectively replace the two that are going for freighter conversion. So they're technically correct, other than the mild cringe where an airline calls them "787-900"...

[Dennis McLean]

BNE must be the 3rd class citizen with no 789's till whenever????

[Rowan McKeever]

BNE must be the 3rd class citizen with no 789's till whenever????

Depends on your perspective - I've seen in another chat where someone put a case that the A330 is a much comfortable aircraft for the BNE-LAX, but others clearly don't agree. I know which I'd prefer but to each their own, I guess :D

[Ben W]

Interesting in the release that they say the other 5 A380's will be back by Dec 23. I thought they may come back a little sooner than that with the current demand? Or don't they have enough pilots and crew to operate them?

I do see the A380's will be back in MEL operating 93/94 a few times a week from early December this year based on their ticketing system. Guessing OQC and OQG will be next back into service.

[Ben W]

Depends on your perspective - I've seen in another chat where someone put a case that the A330 is a much comfortable aircraft for the BNE-LAX, but others clearly don't agree. I know which I'd prefer but to each their own, I guess :D

To be brutally honest. I'd take the 330 over the 787. Not a huge fan of 787's but each to their own!

[David C]

To be brutally honest. I'd take the 330 over the 787. Not a huge fan of 787's but each to their own!

I take the A330 every time when given the choice of 787 or A330. The 2-4-2 seating is far superior for the travelling couple . Not a fan of the 787 , but that’s just my opinion .

Dave C

[James Smith]

QANTAS is going to start plans to replace its 28 aircraft A330 fleet. Link to the story:

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/qantas-pick-planemaker-via-contest-replace-ageing-a330-fleet-2022-08-25/

Source: Reuters Aerospace and Defence

The following sentence from the news item gives some clarity on when the last three QANTAS B789s are expected to be delivered:

Qantas has three 787s already manufactured by Boeing that are in storage in the United States because of the planemaker's delivery issues and are expected to arrive in May and June 2023, the airline's chief executive Alan Joyce said.

[James Smith]

Interesting in the release that they say the other 5 A380's will be back by Dec 23. I thought they may come back a little sooner than that with the current demand? Or don't they have enough pilots and crew to operate them? I do see the A380's will be back in MEL operating 93/94 a few times a week from early December this year based on their ticketing system. Guessing OQC and OQG will be next back into service.

Ben, QANTAS need a sixth A380 from 2 December, 2022 to operate QF93/94 MEL-LAX-MEL three times a week and the seventh A380 from 25 March, 2023 when QF93/94 is due to operate six days a week. The fifth aircraft will be finally deployed on SYD-LAX from 1/9/22 to operate a six times weekly service.

It is assumed that OQG will be the sixth A380 brought back to service as it is currently in maintenance in AUH. Not sure about number seven as OQC has not been refurbished during its extended stay in AUH, as far as we know, and OQI is the only refurbished A380 yet to return to service, but remains in VCV.

As to where the last three A380s will operate is yet to be announced. SYD to DFW was previously operated by A380s and would require two aircraft for a six weekly or daily service. If this happens during and by the end of 2023 the tenth A380 could be used as a spare to operate at peak times to SIN or HKG, for example during summer, or to replace an aircraft in maintenance or with an unforeseen unserviceability.

We'll see how this all pans out.

[Ben W]

Ben, QANTAS need a sixth A380 from 2 December, 2022 to operate QF93/94 MEL-LAX-MEL three times a week and the seventh A380 from 25 March, 2023 when QF93/94 is due to operate six days a week. The fifth aircraft will be finally deployed on SYD-LAX from 1/9/22 to operate a six times weekly service.

It is assumed that OQG will be the sixth A380 brought back to service as it is currently in maintenance in AUH. Not sure about number seven as OQC has not been refurbished during its extended stay in AUH, as far as we know, and OQI is the only refurbished A380 yet to return to service, but remains in VCV.

As to where the last three A380s will operate is yet to be announced. SYD to DFW was previously operated by A380s and would require two aircraft for a six weekly or daily service. If this happens during and by the end of 2023 the tenth A380 could be used as a spare to operate at peak times to SIN or HKG, for example during summer, or to replace an aircraft in maintenance or with an unforeseen unserviceability.

We'll see how this all pans out.

Great information James! Very interesting! Thanks

[Tristan S]

On the topic of the QF 380s.. this isnt good news for them:
https://michaelwest.com.au/wing-crack-fears-for-a380-escalate-customer-nightmare-for-qantas-chief-alan-joyce/

"The aircraft requiring maintenance are part of a global call-in of first generation A380 aircraft that is also expected to affect Singapore Airlines and Emirates. Each aircraft faces about 50 days out of service as engineers scour the critical “spar” infrastructure in the wing for cracks. "

[Brenden S]

VH-XMB was ferried to ASP and has now been deleted from the register. One must assume that it is being scrapped there.

[Neil Hogbin]

As I predicted a few weeks ago A380 OQA is scheduled to fly out of Victorville on Thursday 22nd September to Lax for gear swing and maintenance then onwards for refurbishment.

[James Smith]

Thanks for the information, Neil. Does your source know where OQA will be refurbished - AUH or DRS? My bet would be AUH, maybe to coincide with OQG returning to service.

[James Smith]

A332 VH-EBP operated QANTAS' first flight QF67 to Bengaluru yesterday 14/9/22, which returned as QF68 today.

Also, A333 VH-OPB operated QF25 from SYD to HND on 12/9/22, which returned today as QF26, with QANTAS resuming services to Tokyo.

[Dennis McLean]

Does anyone know why OQJ has been in SYD since 31 August??

[James Smith]

Dennis, QANTAS received its fifth operational A380 in early August from maintenance in AUH and the timetable showed that QF11/12 would be operated on a six day per week basis from 11 August, 2022. Since then the operation with the A380 on this route has been three days per week or less, which means that QANTAS only needs four A380s - three for QF1/2 and one for QF11/12.

Therefore a serviceable A380 spends time out in either SYD or LAX. It looks as though six day per week services on QF11/12 are now due to resume on 30 October, 2022 at the start of the NW schedules.

[C Patters]

Rather than the spare A380 sitting in Sydney doing nothing why not deploy on the MEL-LAX route given the demand is there for it?

[MarkR]

Lack of crew, having a spare doesn’t require more crew but gives upside in unexpected outcomes

[Neil Hogbin]

VH-OQA will be leaving Victorville for LAX as QF6023 at 1530 local today. Was originally scheduled for last Thursday but better late than never.

[Tristan S]

Nancy-Bird Walton has departed VCV and is now en route to LAX.

[James Smith]

Thank you Neil for the information on OQA leaving long-term storage. This leaves just two QANTAS A380s remaining at VCV - OQI & OQL, apart from the recently parted out OQE & OQF.

[Jamie D]

VH-QPG has been in Brisbane since04/22, seems a long time for maintenance, has it just been stored or is their another issue?

[James Smith]

Jamie, when this question was asked on 20/8/22 the answer was that QPG was having a C check so I guess that this is still the case.

[Dennis McLean]

Have been at the back of the Airport. The QF hanger is closed with EBD nose up to the doors, I guess EBB is still inside. QPG is there with some work being done on the rear of the tail by the look of "tape"etc. Could not get a pic as was raining, bugger. All other hanger doors closed, Nauru, Alliance. Outside the old ITB was Jetstar 788 VKL which had arrived from DPS last night.

[Peter S.]

A change of pace here [not seen these reported here]

All 717s except VH-YQW now in Silver Roo - Anyone know the National parks names for VH-NXH, VH-YQX, YQY please?

Dash 8-400 VH-LQJ now in Silver Roo - named Jervis Bay. Four remain in old scheme, and 3 likely have names:
VH-LQG Cowes
VH-LQM Ulladulla
VH-LQQ Darling Downs
VH-LQK [name unknown].

and VH-TQM is Merimbula.

[Greg Hyde]

Hi Peter,

This may fill in some of the gaps

https://www.planespotters.net/airline/QantasLink

[Peter S.]

Thanks Greg,

That is my base data... and those are the gaps I could not resolve!!

cheers

[Zac M]

The remaining Q400s are now painted in silver roo livery with LQQ the last one done from September 17 to September 30.

TQS, YQV and YQW are the only aircraft not yet painted in silver roo for QantasLink, although YQV has a name and the retro nose art


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Peter S.]

Thanks Zac - all coming together now.

[Tristan S]

Qantas's fleet list has a new 'future' addition.
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/airbus-a350-1000-vh-qantas/eyq7ok

[Ben W]

What is the deal with the massive delays that have been going on the last 4 days on QF1 & 2? Could be wrong, but assuming it's maintenance related? If so, why aren't they using OQJ which has been driving around SYD airport for over a month?

[MarkR]

Probably staff rather than hardware. The pool of talent for such a small fleet must limit options at times.

[Fred C]

OQJ driving around SYD airport? OQJ is in maintenance in H96 until the end of October at least. QF 1 & 2 delays were maintenance related.

[Peter C]

With the completion of the northern summer season QF5/QF6 SYD-PER-FCO flights, B789 VH-ZNI is heading for Singapore for its 3 year Heavy Maintenance today as QF6017.

[Jim M]

With the completion of the northern summer season QF5/QF6 SYD-PER-FCO flights, B789 VH-ZNI is heading for Singapore for its 3 year Heavy Maintenance today as QF6017.
Was just going to post that Peter. Any idea how long ZNI will be up there for?

[Peter C]

Was just going to post that Peter. Any idea how long ZNI will be up there for?

ZNA thru ZND took an average of 17 days (in Hong Kong during Jan to Mar 2021)

ZNE thru ZNH took an average of 16 days ( in Singapore during Sep to Nov 2021) ZNF was last of these 4 as it had been in storage at LAX (was flown direct from LAX)

Longest 19 days (HKG), shortest 15 days (SIN)

[MarkR]

No surprise to see Qantas expecting the 787s now next quarter.

[Michael Mak]

Any news on when ZNL/M/N would be delivered to QF? Last I heard QF was expecting ZNL in early 2023?

[Greg Hyde]

ZNN (to be) ferried from VCV-PAE yesterday as BOE282.

Note: this was to be a logo jet

[Peter C]

ZNN (to be) ferried from VCV-PAE yesterday as BOE282.

Note: this was to be a logo jet

Payne Field Blog notes the arrival but only displays a pic of its departure for VCV back on 12 Nov 2020 2020 image (http://paineairport.com/images/kpae18796z.png)

[Mayer F]

Here's a photo of VH-ZNN arriving at PAE on 13oct22:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreatplanes/52425898406/

[Peter C]

Troubles with B789 VH-ZNA &/or crew timings ?

After diverting to Brisbane with QF8 DFW_SYD Tuesday morning, VH-ZNA completed the route to Sydney. The aircraft then positioned to Melbourne where it underwent some maintenance procedures, before taking a delayed QF9 to Perth. A day later it is now returning to Melbourne with QF10 at 29000' rather than the usual 40000'.

Edit : B789 VH-ZNC having operated Thursday's QF9 MEL-PER sector is now taking the 24hr delayed Wednesday QF9 on to London as QF7009. Meanwhile B789 VH-ZNG which operated the LHR-PER sector of QF10 completed to Melbourne by VH-ZNA, was supposed to turn around and operate Wednesday's QF9 PER-LHR sector 2 hours behind VH-ZNC. This flight has now been delayed until at least 10:45 AWST Thursday

[Kent Broadhead]

VH-ZNA is currently SW of Hawaii on its way to LAX from MEL. It would be interesting to know whether there is an issue, but there's nothing in the flights themselves that says anything obvious.

My FIL was on QF8 the day after the diversion to BNE, and we assumed it had been headwind related. His flight the day after on ZNK was unremarkable apart from an hour or so delay out of DFW.

[Peter C]

Interesting flight path for B789 VH-ZNI returning from Heavy Maintenance at Singapore to Sydney earlier today ... QF6016 flight path (https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/qf6016#2de89105)

The flight ended in Perth, with ZNI taking the 2nd 26+ hour delayed QF9 to LHR as QF7009, 105 minutes behind today's QF9 (B789 VH-ZNH).

Begs the question as to what has happened to VH-ZNG which arrived in Perth with QF10 more or less on time on Wednesday morning.

[Brad Myer]

Looks like QF have removed all planned additional A380 flying (MEL-LAX) and as a result trimmed other 787 frequencies to cover:

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221020-qfns23intl

Anyone know what's going on with the lack of A380 fleet?

[James Smith]

Anyone know what's going on with the lack of A380 fleet?


Brad, it is an ongoing issue with the resumption of QANTAS A380 services being put back. QF11/12 was due to increase A380 frequencies from 3 to 6 pw from August, which has been put back to December, 2022. QF93/94 was due to be operated by A380s 3 pw from 2/12/22 and 6 pw from 25/3/23 which has now been shelved.

QANTAS has four A380s currently operating (OQB, OQD, OQH, OQK) - three for QF1/2 daily and one for QF11/12 two or three times per week. OQJ would have increased this to five to operate the increased A380 QF11/12 flights but after resuming flying in June has been in maintenance in SYD since 31/8/22. OQG has been in maintenance in AUH since 30/7/22 and it was presumed that when these two A380s resumed flying the increased A380 services from December would be achieved with the six aircraft. The next A380, possibly OQA, would have had maintenance and refurbishment in time to operate the increased QF93/94 services from late March, 2023.

But this schedule has now been put back for reasons unknown. Is the maintenance work required on the A380s taking longer than planned? Is there a tech crew shortage to fly them? Do forward bookings not justify the increase in seats deployed? This last question does not seem to be true with other airlines on North American services increasing flights - United, Delta and Air Canada, with American returning at the end on this month. Or some other reason or reasons.

It would be very interesting to hear from someone in the know as to what is delaying the return of previously planned A380 services.

[Rowan McKeever]

The A380s are required to undergo checks on their wing spars per an EASA airworthiness directive, which is what's happening to OQJ now. Others that are in service currently (not sure whether all four, but I would assume so given timings) will require this same check in turn after OQJ.

https://services.casa.gov.au/airworth/airwd/ADfiles/OVER/A380/2022-0174R1.pdf

[James Smith]

Thanks very much for the information, Rowan.

Do you know how long the inspections should take per aircraft and whether any of the other QANTAS A380s are currently having these inspections done at other locations? Such as OQC and OQG in AUH or OQA in LAX?

[Peter C]

...

Begs the question as to what has happened to VH-ZNG which arrived in Perth with QF10 more or less on time on Wednesday morning.

Answering my own question, with VH-ZNG enroute to Melbourne as QF6006 (at normal altitude), seems to have been a crew time expired issue.

[Ben W]

Brad, it is an ongoing issue with the resumption of QANTAS A380 services being put back. QF11/12 was due to increase A380 frequencies from 3 to 6 pw from August, which has been put back to December, 2022. QF93/94 was due to be operated by A380s 3 pw from 2/12/22 and 6 pw from 25/3/23 which has now been shelved.

QANTAS has four A380s currently operating (OQB, OQD, OQH, OQK) - three for QF1/2 daily and one for QF11/12 two or three times per week. OQJ would have increased this to five to operate the increased A380 QF11/12 flights but after resuming flying in June has been in maintenance in SYD since 31/8/22. OQG has been in maintenance in AUH since 30/7/22 and it was presumed that when these two A380s resumed flying the increased A380 services from December would be achieved with the six aircraft. The next A380, possibly OQA, would have had maintenance and refurbishment in time to operate the increased QF93/94 services from late March, 2023.

But this schedule has now been put back for reasons unknown. Is the maintenance work required on the A380s taking longer than planned? Is there a tech crew shortage to fly them? Do forward bookings not justify the increase in seats deployed? This last question does not seem to be true with other airlines on North American services increasing flights - United, Delta and Air Canada, with American returning at the end on this month. Or some other reason or reasons.

It would be very interesting to hear from someone in the know as to what is delaying the return of previously planned A380 services.

I'd be interested as well James. I booked to fly to MEL in December and the only reason I booked with QF was because both flights were A380's. Both have now been changed to 787 unfortunately. Seems there is more $ to be made with less capacity on the 787's so they're in no hurry to bring more A380's back.....

[MarkR]

Seems there is more $ to be made with less capacity on the 787's so they're in no hurry to bring more A380's back.....

As posted earlier they cannot bring any back without undergoing urgent wing spar work which takes 50 days

[James Smith]

The A380s are required to undergo checks on their wing spars per an EASA airworthiness directive, which is what's happening to OQJ now. Others that are in service currently (not sure whether all four, but I would assume so given timings) will require this same check in turn after OQJ.

https://services.casa.gov.au/airwort...022-0174R1.pdf

Ben, I too was concerned that the return of the QANTAS A380s was being put back seemingly without reason, but seeing it is due to a CASA directive it has to be done. This urgent work has put the A380 return schedule back even further and is out of QANTAS' control. 50 days is nearly two months and will take upwards of one year and eight months to complete on the ten aircraft. Hopefully, the inspections and work can be performed at other locations to speed up its completion, hence my question about it being done in AUH and LAX.

Are you able to change your flight in December to fly on an A380 from LAX to SYD or vice versa and catch a domestic flight to MEL? There are A380 flights on this route on certain days of the week.

[MarkR]

The A380s are required to undergo checks on their wing spars per an EASA airworthiness directive, which is what's happening to OQJ now. Others that are in service currently (not sure whether all four, but I would assume so given timings) will require this same check in turn after OQJ.

https://services.casa.gov.au/airworth/airwd/ADfiles/OVER/A380/2022-0174R1.pdf

The issue initially only affected the first six aircraft and has been in place since 2019, with Qantas having done at least two aircraft back then.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2019/07/24/potential-wing-cracks-reported-in-airbus-a380-superjumbo-jets/?sh=64ff96b25c27

[James Smith]

Thanks for that further information and link to the Forbes article, Mark,

[Ben W]

Thanks for the reply's James and Mark. Interesting stuff. Good to see OQJ back in service as QF11 this morning. James, I will look into a change through SYD- thanks for the suggestion.

[James Smith]

A380 OQK arrived in SYD as QF2 on 21/10/22 and has not flown since. I presume that she has entered maintenance to have her wing spar checks done, replacing OQJ, which returned to service on 23/10/22 as QF11.

[Mayer F]

Hi all,


VH-ZNM (MSN 66077) was ferried from VCV to BFI on 31oct22 as BOE281:
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE281/history/20221031/1900Z/KVCV/KBFI

P. S.- A picture arriving at BFI is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreatplanes/52469135948/

[Peter C]

Hi all,


VH-ZNM (MSN 66077) was ferried from VCV to BFI on 31oct22 as BOE281:
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE281/history/20221031/1900Z/KVCV/KBFI

P. S.- A picture arriving at BFI is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreatplanes/52469135948/

VH-ZNM moved on to Everett Thursday morning PDT - arrival picture (http://paineairport.com/images/kpae20305n.png)

[Tristan S]

Reported on Twitter that A332 VH-EBF has performed its last passenger flight and will soon head to Germany to be converted to a freighter.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CksoZ-0y_R8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[Greg Hyde]

Reported on Twitter that A332 VH-EBF has performed its last passenger flight and will soon head to Germany to be converted to a freighter.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CksoZ-0y_R8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

VH-EBF is due to depart PER shortly for DRS via SIN to start its P2F conversion. It is expected to take around six months.

[C Patters]

Any word on when QPG, EBB & EBD will return to service given EBF is now leaving passenger services?

[James Smith]

Reported on Twitter that A332 VH-EBF has performed its last passenger flight and will soon head to Germany to be converted to a freighter.


The last passenger flight operated by VH-EBF was PER-SYD on Monday as QF654, the red-eye arriving at just after 6:00am on Tuesday. It then departed SYD-MEL, MEL-ADL and ADL-PER as QF7531 arriving early afternoon in WA.

An unusual way to get to PER and only just over 30 minutes on the ground at both MEL and ADL. Picking up crew for the onward flights from PER to SIN and DRS maybe?

It is now en-route to SIN still operating as QF7531.

[Dennis McLean]

Now en-route from SIN to???, appears to be past India on Flight Aware, over 5 hours.

[Dennis McLean]

Flight radar 24 shows direct to Dresden

[Tristan S]

Yes, Dresden is where it will be F'd ;)

[MarkR]

The last passenger flight operated by VH-EBF was PER-SYD on Monday as QF654, the red-eye arriving at just after 6:00am on Tuesday. It then departed SYD-MEL, MEL-ADL and ADL-PER as QF7531 arriving early afternoon in WA.

An unusual way to get to PER and only just over 30 minutes on the ground at both MEL and ADL. Picking up crew for the onward flights from PER to SIN and DRS maybe?

It is now en-route to SIN still operating as QF7531.

Onward crew requirements are minimal given the overnight in SIN, probably took the opportunity to do training given the dead sectors, makes sense.

[Ben W]

OQA was moved over to TBIT at LAX this afternoon (Thursday afternoon in LA).

OQL lit up at Victorville earlier today as well which might mean she will be next to leave the desert?

That would leave only OQI in storage I believe?

[James Smith]

Thanks for the information, Ben. OQA could be flying to AUH for refurbishment with OQL to replace her at the LAX QANTAS maintenance facility. We shall watch with interest.

[James Smith]

OQA is flying to LHR as QF6023 and is due to depart LAX at this time.

[Ben W]

OQA is flying to LHR as QF6023 and is due to depart LAX at this time.

Odd that it's heading to LHR? It wouldn't be going straight into service as QF2 would it? Don't believe it has been refurbished yet?

[James Smith]

OQA is still to be refurbished, along with OQC and OQL according to my records and confirmed by the A380 seat maps information on their website. This usually takes at least 2 months and OQA has only been in LAX for a little less than 2 months. So, I doubt that OQA has been refurbished in LAX, as no other QF A380s have and I think that it would be far cheaper to take the aircraft to the new interior to be installed than taking the new interior to the aircraft. Australian Aviation has been saying on many occasions and as recently as their latest issue that OQA is being refurbished in LAX, but I have always doubted this as only DRS and AUH have been used up to now. The time in LAX looks more to be the time taken (50 days) for the wing spar inspections.

The question of why OQA is going to LHR. I doubt it is to operate QF2 back to SYD as there is currently an A380, OQD heading for LHR as QF1, unless they swap over in LHR and OQD goes to DRS or AUH for maintenance, wing spar inspections perhaps. But, QANTAS hasn't operated un-refurbished A380s on passenger flights for some time now. The LHR diversion could be for some other reason, crew related perhaps and OQA will just continue to either DRS or AUH for refurbishment. We shall see.

[Zac M]

OQA will be continuing to AUH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[James Smith]

Thanks Zac. That clears that up. Do you know what work was carried out on OQA in LAX?

[Peter C]

VH-OQL fired up on FlightRadar24 at 11:07 on 17th at VCV for a 0 minute flight as QF16 ?!!

[James Smith]

Yes Peter, with the blip we are thinking that OQL will replace OQA at the QANTAS maintenance facility at LAX in the next few days.

[C Patters]

I presume OQG will be returning to service soon after being in AUH for maintenance?

[James Smith]

One would hope so, but OQG may return to SYD and replace OQK having its wing spar inspections done, if they have not been done while in AUH. OQK should have these inspections completed by around 10/12/22.

[Tristan S]

Pillaged from another forum.

VH-OQA: wing spar check complete; correction from earlier, I believe it has not had refurbishment yet, but is transiting through LHR to DRS or AUH for refurbishment.
VH-OQB: in service; wing spar check not yet completed
VH-OQC: wing spar check not completed; in AUH for refurbishment at present
VH-OQD: in service; wing spar check not yet completed
VH-OQE: storage in VCV
VH-OQF: scrapped at VCV
VH-OQG: wing spar check not completed; in AUH for refurbishment at present
VH-OQH: in service; wing spar check not yet completed
VH-OQI: storage in VCV
VH-OQJ: in service; wing spar check completed Sept/Oct.
VH-OQK: currently in maintenance receiving wing spar check in SYD.
VH-OQL: will position from VCV to LAX in coming days for maintenance (including wing spar)

[James Smith]

Gold Tristan. Thanks so much for sharing. What was the forum where you pillaged this information?

It shows that, contrary to earlier information that OQJ was the first QANTAS A380 to have the wing spar inspections done, followed by OQA in LAX and OQK at this time. Also, it shows that the inspections can be performed in different locations which will speed up their completion.

OQA transited LHR with a three hour stop and has now arrived in AUH. Maybe the crew that brought OQA to AUH will bring OQG back to SYD.

[Tristan S]

Gold Tristan. Thanks so much for sharing. What was the forum where you pillaged this information?

It shows that, contrary to earlier information that OQJ was the first QANTAS A380 to have the wing spar inspections done, followed by OQA in LAX and OQK at this time. Also, it shows that the inspections can be performed in different locations which will speed up their completion.

OQA transited LHR with a three hour stop and has now arrived in AUH. Maybe the crew that brought OQA to AUH will bring OQG back to SYD.

From here: https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1478107

Page 4 :)

[Peter C]

Does anyone know why B789 VH-ZNG has been sitting in the Qantas Los Angeles Maintenance facility since arriving at LAX with Monday 14th's QF93 ?
Fortunately with the B789 program set up to allow ZNI, ZNJ & ZNK to have their 3yr Heavy Maintenance on time (Oct, Nov & Dec respectively), it has covered this absence of ZNG, but delayed ZNJ's trip to Singapore.

[Peter C]

Does anyone know why B789 VH-ZNG has been sitting in the Qantas Los Angeles Maintenance facility since arriving at LAX with Monday 14th's QF93 ?
Fortunately with the B789 program set up to allow ZNI, ZNJ & ZNK to have their 3yr Heavy Maintenance on time (Oct, Nov & Dec respectively), it has covered this absence of ZNG, but delayed ZNJ's trip to Singapore.

This absence has stretched to 10 days, with other Qantas B789 problems or crew issues in Melbourne leading to the cancellation of today's QF93 MEL-LAX.

Cancellation of Monday's (PST) QF12 LAX-SYD may either be due to absence of VH-ZNG or further crew issues.

[C Patters]

Any updates on service returns of QPG, EBB & EBD still in Brisbane Maintenance?

[Jim M]

This absence has stretched to 10 days, with other Qantas B789 problems or crew issues in Melbourne leading to the cancellation of today's QF93 MEL-LAX.

Cancellation of Monday's (PST) QF12 LAX-SYD may either be due to absence of VH-ZNG or further crew issues.

It appears that ZNG is still at LAX. Does anyone have any further info? Also QF9 ex Perth to LHR last night (30/11) was supposed to be operated by ZNJ, but ended up being delayed until after lunch today and was eventually operated by ZNB. It appears that there may be an issue with ZNJ now which is still in PER. The 787 fleet is a bit stretched at present.

[Peter C]

It appears that ZNG is still at LAX. Does anyone have any further info?

A post on another forum indicates ZNG is out until the 12th - no explanation as to why.

[Rowan McKeever]

It’s mentioned elsewhere (probably not far from the post Peter mentioned [emoji6]) that ZNG was damaged during planned maintenance at LAX.

Unclear to me whether the two things are related and obviously being forums there’s the usual ‘grain of salt’ as well, but the same ‘other forum’ mentioned a rudder change.

[MarkR]

With a large amount of activity in the lead up to the peak summer holiday travel period, here is a summary of key service improvements across Qantas and Jetstar rolling out over the next two months.
In that time, the Group expects to carry more than 8 million people, with particularly strong leisure demand.
While capacity growth is temporarily limited by the need for additional operational buffer (including a $200 million investment in standby resources), more aircraft are entering service in the weeks ahead and several new international routes will start before Christmas.
Qantas’ operational performance has continued to be industry leading, ranking as the most on-time domestic airline in October and continuing to outperform our major competitor in November despite extreme weather (storms and strong winds). Jetstar’s domestic and international operational performance has also improved.
Both Qantas and Jetstar have ongoing sale activity, with discounted fares and more frequent flyer seat availability.
Below is a summary of upcoming developments across Qantas and Jetstar’s domestic and international operations.
QANTAS INTERNATIONAL
Qantas will start three new routes in December:
Flights resumed between Brisbane and Tokyo on 1 December, shifting from Narita Airport to the more centrally located Haneda Airport, with three return flights per week using its Airbus A330s.
Flights take off for the first time between Melbourne and Dallas Fort Worth on 3 December, with three return flights per week using its Boeing 787s. The new route adds to Qantas’ existing Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth route and offers connections to over 200 cities across North and South America with partner American Airlines.
The inaugural Sydney-Seoul flight takes off on 10 December, with four return flights per week using its The new route adds to Jetstar’s new Sydney-Seoul services, which started in November.
Qantas will welcome its sixth (out of 10) refurbished A380 back from storage, which will return to service from mid-December, providing more operational resilience over the busy Christmas holidays.
Additional flights are being added across the Tasman, with Sydney-Queenstown increasing from 10 return flights per week to 14 per week from mid-December.
An additional three return flights per week have been added between Sydney and Fiji for six weeks from mid-December.
Larger A330s will replace 737s on flights between Sydney and Bali from 5 December until 26 January 2023.
JETSTAR INTERNATIONAL
Three new Jetstar A321neo LR aircraft will start flying across December this year and January next year, in addition to the first A321neo LR that joined the fleet in August. These aircraft will initially operate on domestic routes and between Australia and Bali.
Jetstar has announced it will start direct flights between Sydney and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for the first time. The first flight will take off on 29 June 2023, subject to government and regulatory approvals, with two return flights per week.
DOMESTIC
Qantas will resume seasonal flights in December to:
Adelaide-Hobart
Adelaide-Gold Coast
Canberra-Sunshine Coast
Canberra-Cairns
Brisbane-Launceston
Melbourne-Merimbula.
Given the strong demand for flights from Sydney to Cairns over the summer peak, Qantas will use its larger Airbus A330 aircraft on up to 19 return flights per week on the route in December and January, up from 11 per week using a 737 currently – a total increase of more than 11,000 seats over the period.
Domestically, Group capacity is at 95 per cent of pre-COVID levels for the second quarter.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Qantas will open its refurbished lounge in Honolulu on 16 December, as well as operate an additional two return flights per between Sydney-Honolulu for six weeks over summer.
Qantas and Jetstar will roll out a number of customer initiatives at airports over the Christmas holidays, with a focus on making journeys easier. More details will be released shortly.
Qantas Frequent Flyers have snapped up seats on almost 3000 Points Planes. Six weeks of flights across 21 domestic routes were turned into Points Planes in January and February, where every seat, including Business, could be booked as a Classic Flight Reward.
Qantas is today launching a domestic sale with up to a 30 per cent discount on fares across 100 domestic routes including $109 Melbourne-Launceston, $149 Adelaide-Hobart, $199 Cairns-Sydney and $269 Brisbane-Darwin. Selected travel dates are in June, July, August and September.
Jetstar’s recent Black Friday sale featured 50,000 seats across 30 domestic and trans-Tasman destinations, with fares starting from $39 (one way). The most popular destinations were Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Cairns and Queenstown.
Additional sale activity is planned in December for travel next year.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-industry-update-service-improvements-for-summer/

[Jim M]

It’s mentioned elsewhere (probably not far from the post Peter mentioned [emoji6]) that ZNG was damaged during planned maintenance at LAX.

Unclear to me whether the two things are related and obviously being forums there’s the usual ‘grain of salt’ as well, but the same ‘other forum’ mentioned a rudder change.
I read on another forum about QPG, the A333 waiting for a rudder in BNE. Nothing about ZNG.

[Rowan McKeever]

The post I’ve seen says ZNG requiring the rudder change and has 12 December return to service in the same sentence. [emoji1744]

[Tristan S]

Another A380 is leaving the desert with VH-OQL about to depart VCV for LAX

[James Smith]

Thanks for that update, Tristan. Just VH-OQI left to depart the desert, in one piece that is!

[James Smith]

An article in Simple Flying about QANTAS reintroducing its sixth A380, specifically OQA, in mid December got me thinking.

In a further boost to its international network, Qantas will bring back its sixth Airbus A380 later this month. After almost three years in storage, the aircraft will offer vital operational resilience over the busy Christmas holiday period.

The aircraft, registered as VH-OQA, is currently undergoing final maintenance checks at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), before re-entering into service in mid-December.

https://simpleflying.com/qantas-reintroduces-6th-airbus-a380/

OQA only arrived in AUH on 18/11/22 for refurbishment and possibly other maintenance. It seems improbable that it will return to service after only a month, as refurbishment has taken at least two months and up to three months with aircraft done prior to COVID. Could it be OQG returning to service instead as it has been in AUH for over four months? I don't think it will be OQC as she seems to like the desert too much!

As with an in-service A380 - OQJ, replacing another in-service A380 - OQK with the wing spar inspections, I thought it possible that one of the remaining in-service A380s, OQB, OQD, OQH would be next after OQK. But that would only leave five A380s in service for the next 150 days (50 days per aircraft inspection) without other A380s returning.

So, if a sixth A380 is to return to service it would more likely be OQK, which completes its wing spar inspection in the next few days, and then bring an aircraft not currently in service for the next inspection.

I guess we will just have to wait and see how accurate this article is.

Source: Simple Flying 5 December, 2022

[MarkR]

OQA was the frame that spurred the wing spar issues in the first place, it’s likely to have been cured of that issue unlike the rest of the fleet, so interior refit could be quite quick

[Dennis McLean]

So, what is happening with VH-OQC which has been in AUH since 21/6 21??

[Tristan S]

OQL is due to position to LHR on the 16th and then to AUH on the 17th.

In other news.. I went past the QF hangar at BNE today...
QPG is sitting outside the hangar, sans rudder.
EBD is also sitting outside the hangar, looking worse for wear - but with an engineer on a scissor lift on the far side (couldn't tell what they were doing)
Am guessing EBB was in the hangar (could see something, but unsure of rego)

[James Smith]

Thanks for that update, Tristan. It looks as though AUH is going to get busier unless we see some QF A380 departures.

In other QF news, B789 ZNG is scheduled to depart LAX in a few minutes on its return from maintenance and is to operate QF94 to MEL.

[Peter C]

With B789 VH-ZNG back in service, it will be interesting to see when ZNJ & ZNK head to Singapore for their 3yr Heavy Maintenance.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQK returned to service after its wing spar inspections operating the delayed QF1D this evening.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQG has just completed a 2 hour 42 minute test flight as QF6029 from AUH out over the Persian Gulf.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQL is about to depart LAX for LHR and AUH as QF6023. Of the ten remaining QANTAS A380s, five are in service, four will be in AUH and one left in storage in VCV. OQG will probably leave AUH shortly and another will possibly commence having its wing spar inspection in SYD.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQG is scheduled to depart AUH in just over 3 hours as QF6024 for SYD with an estimated arrival time of 8:40 tomorrow morning. She must have passed yesterday's test flight! ;)

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQJ is about to take off from SYD on a 40 minutes flight west of the city. This is probably a crew training flight with QANTAS conducting similar short flights on Saturday 10/12/22 (two) with OQB and Saturday 17/12/22 with OQD.

[James Smith]

An interesting and informative article in Aviation Week about the A380 wing spar inspections and any resultant crack repairs. The paragraph on QANTAS A380s is shown hereunder:

According to the Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database, Qantas currently operates the only three aircraft in revenue service that are older than 12.5 years, though the real threshold of wing box production is unclear. VH-OQB is the Australian carrier’s fleet leader at 14.5 years. Singapore Airlines was the first carrier to take delivery of an A380 in October 2007, but that aircraft and several more of its early A380s have either been scrapped or are stored.

Full article: https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/wing-spar-crack-repairs-slow-down-airbus-a380-return-service

[C Patters]

Do we have any dates of when the remaining 3 x 787's will be delivered to Qantas given that they are all now in PAE & I presume getting close to being ready?

[Peter C]

FWIW : based on flight data at Boeing Test Flights per Day (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xPZP2NmigprVBd5dklYcFOGraAn4C8Z4W0z2TPD-eD0/edit#gid=0) and production data at 787 Tables (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FH3Y2-vRUgojntPkCSJI5Pd-15rsJ1a0SFCRaT-iqgo/edit#gid=2), there are seven 789s that were returned to PAE from storage ahead of the three Qantas 789s, and as yet no sign of ZNN being fully painted.
These spreadsheets show that only five 789s have been delivered from Everett since 30 October.

[C Patters]

Thanks Peter hopefully we get some movement shortly

[James Smith]

QANTAS stated that the final three B789s would be delivered in FY23 and I recall May and June 2023 specified. This dovetails well with the commencement of New York flights which at three per week will require one additional B789, although as more A380s return to service the B789 fleet will not be so stretched.

There must be a lot of work required for each previously built B789.

[Alex Lui]

According to Flightradar24.com VH-OQG due to operate QF11 today, delayed departure though.

Good to see the A380s coming back online more and more now.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQG has returned to service operating QF11 SYD-LAX today. This means that QANTAS now has six A380s in service, but one may be needed for wing spar inspections and any crack repairs in the future, maybe after the Christmas/New Year peak. I do not know if OQG had its inspections done during its four and a half month maintenance period in AUH.

[Brad Myer]

VH-OQG taxied out for departure, then returned to gate, now delayed.

[Peter C]

QF11 VH-OQG eventually pushed back at 14:51

[Tristan S]

QF1 is currently on the ground in GYD (Baku) after squawking 7700 and diverting there.
According to FR24 it is due to leave about now, so presumably the diversion was medical.

Edit: now reported as a technical issue: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/qantas-flight-from-singapore-to-london-makes-emergency-landing-in-azerbaijan

“Our flight from Singapore to London has made an unscheduled landing at Baku Airport in Azerbaijan after pilots received an intermittent fault indicator in the cockpit,” said a Qantas spokesman in response to The Straits Times’ queries.
“Engineers will inspect the aircraft prior to it continuing its journey.”

[James Smith]

QF1 is currently on the ground in GYD (Baku) after squawking 7700 and diverting there. According to FR24 it is due to leave about now, so presumably the diversion was medical.

That A380 is VH-OQH and it hasn't left as yet.

[Rowan McKeever]

QF online flight status shows departure from Baku at 2230 local time on Saturday.

[James Smith]

QANTAS has an A380, VH-OQD scheduled to depart SYD for GYD (Baku) at 10:30 SYD time. I guess that it will pick up the stranded passengers, continue to LHR and also take engineering staff to examine and fix OQH.

[James Smith]

This is an article on the A380 diversion to Baku by Simple Flying:

https://simpleflying.com/qantas-airbus-a380-baku-diversion-cargo-smoke-warning/

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQD has just departed GYD as QF1D completing the leg to LHR of approximately five and a half hours.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQH has departed GYD overnight as QF6026 for SYD and is scheduled to arrive at 18:39 this evening.

[Dennis McLean]

OQH just landed at SYD at 8.08pm local time.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQH has returned to service operating QF11 SYD-LAX this morning.

[Tristan S]

A380 VH-OQH has returned to service operating QF11 SYD-LAX this morning.

Interesting flight path, heading north up the coastline (at points, over land) before hanging a right just before the Gold Coast.. I wonder if that was precautionary?

[James Smith]

Quiet an interesting flight path, Tristan with the planned great circle route up and over and going well north of Hawaii and then south-sou-east into LAX. I would say that the flight path is weather related with possibly forecasted higher head winds further south. The other SYD-LAX flights are travelling along the more usual southerly route but up to 50 mph slower.

I have seen US west coast flights from MEL take the MEL-OOL route well west of SYD but it is more prevalent with flights coming from the west coast to SYD, particularly with Air Canada often and others sometimes crossing the coast well up the NSW coast.

I don't think that it is precautionary, as if the aircraft is fit to fly, it is fit to fly its usual routes and needs all systems in full working order to fly ETOPS flights. With OQD not having flown since Monday night and OQG doing a couple of one and a half hour training flights around SYD today QANTAS could have easily have used one of these A380s to fly across the Pacific instead.

According to Flightaware both QF11 and UA842 are due to arrive in LAX at 6:19 so we'll be able to see which was the quicker route. UA842 departed SYD at 12:02 and QF11 at 12:26 so OQH was 24 minutes after United.

[James Smith]

According to Flightaware both QF11 and UA842 are due to arrive in LAX at 6:19 so we'll be able to see which was the quicker route. UA842 departed SYD at 12:02 and QF11 at 12:26 so OQH was 24 minutes after United.

UA842 took 14 hours 3 minutes (7722 miles) to fly SYD-LAX while QF11 took 14:15 (8199 miles) and arrived 28 minutes after United. QF11's speed for the last 40% of the flight was above 600 mph and as high as 697mph. UA842 was rarely above 550mph and below 500 mph for a large portion of the later part of the flight.

It'll be interesting to see what routes are flown today across the Pacific.

[Ben W]

VH-OQI lit up on flightradar24 from the desert this morning. Looks like it's getting ready to hop to LAX in the coming weeks. This one I think still has the old livery from memory?

[Rowan McKeever]

Reported on 7 News and confirmed by Qantas and FR24, QF1 (depart SYD Monday 2 January 2023) diverted to Athens for a medical emergency.

Aircraft operating is VH-OQJ, which remains in ATH at this time. QF flight status page indicates a continuation to LHR early afternoon Wednesday 4 January local time (I assume, being medical rather than technical, that this will be OQJ).

Tuesday’s QF2 is scheduled to depart LHR mid-morning on Wednesday local time, which presumably will operate with VH-OQD which left SYD as QF1 on Tuesday 3 January.

Edit to add link:

https://7news.com.au/news/in-flight-health-emergency-forces-qantas-flight-to-make-unscheduled-landing-in-athens-c-9341816.amp

[C Patters]

Do we have any updates on EBB & QPG as to when they will be back in service? Its been reported that QPG is waiting for a rudder before returning but surely it doesn't take months to get a new one!!

[Dennis McLean]

EBD is still there as well.

[Tom PER]

There was talk that EBB and EBD had corrosion but I’m a tad skeptical.

Add to this EBL has been in BNE since the start of the month, so safe to assume she’s in for a heavy check.

Believe EBE is being withdrawn this month for P2F conversion.

Whilst VA’s mainline fleet is flourishing, QF’s is dwindling. Never understood why you’d have 3 A330’s sitting in BNE over the Xmas/New Year period.

Nothing replaced EBF which was withdrawn for P2F conversion back in Nov 22 either.

There’s some very recent pics of EBD on a well-known photo sharing site and she looks very sad, robbed for a winglet and dirty.

The remaining active domestic A332’s are all regularly visiting AKL, CGK, DPS and SIN so they are getting around.

[C Patters]

Well said Tom no excuse really for EBB & EBD to have had corrosion as they should have been parked in Alice Springs not Brisbane during the height of the pandemic for storage.
Not sure how Qantas are going to increase international services without all the A330’s in service??

[Tom PER]

Well said Tom no excuse really for EBB & EBD to have had corrosion as they should have been parked in Alice Springs not Brisbane during the height of the pandemic for storage.
Not sure how Qantas are going to increase international services without all the A330’s in service??

Please don’t take my post as a criticism of QF, their ongoing absence from the fleet could very well be the old ‘crew related’ chestnut, which I find a little hard to fathom as JQ, VA are all growing, ZL added -MFM and we now have new entrant AB/Bonza.

EBB hasn’t flown for nearly 3 years.

Let’s not even start on the topic of Dreamliner wing repaints, check out ZNA.

[Brenden S]

What you have to remember is there are only so many slots available in heavy maintenance at any one time. No one thought the rebound in travel would be this strong, thus the delays in returning some aircraft to service.

[Greg Hyde]

A380 VH-OQE was deleted from the register on 13/01/2023 as exported to USA

[Tristan S]

A380 VH-OQE was deleted from the register on 13/01/2023 as exported to USA

Interesting as OQF is still in the register.

[Stirling D]

Do we have any updates on EBB & QPG as to when they will be back in service? Its been reported that QPG is waiting for a rudder before returning but surely it doesn't take months to get a new one!!

I was around that side of the airport this morning, QPG is out the front of H3 with a rudder attached.

[C Patters]

Great news re QPG!

[Peter C]

B789 VH-ZNK has been in the LAX maintenance area since arriving with an extra QF93 on 14th.

Since it missed it's Singapore 3yr Heavy Maintenance booking last month, due to ZNG requiring a rudder replacement, which took it out of the schedule for 4 weeks, are Qantas LAX staff doing the job ?

Edit : Nope, just a long layover, as has returned to service operating QF12.

[Dennis McLean]

Apart from QPG, EBB, EBD, still in Brisbane, I also noted that EBL arrived in BNE on 2 January 23 and has not moved. Also, EBQ has been in Manila since 30 November 22.

[Tristan S]

From another forum:

EBB is scheduled to return to service this month after sitting in BNE for the best part of 3 years
EBD remains in BNE, have heard unconfirmed whispers that it'll never return to service again
EBE is supposedly being withdrawn from pax service this month to undergo P2F conversion in the USA I believe
EBL is in BNE for a heavy check
EBQ has been in maintenance in MNL for nearly 2 months
QPG is in BNE where she has been since April 2022.

[Brenden S]

EBB return to service soon
EBD will go in for a C check after EBB exits
EBE P2F
EBL C Check
EBQ C Check
QPG will probs be a C check post EBD
Source is a Facebook page.

[Dennis McLean]

EBL ferried BNE/SYD this morning about to go to Bali.

[Stirling D]

EBQ operating MNL-MNL as QF6035. Scheduled MNL-SYD as QF6036 tomorrow.

[Stirling D]

EFR on the way back from QPG after just over a month long visit.

[C Patters]

Any word on QPG & EBB returning to service? I read somewhere that QPG has had its rudder installed so should be ready to re-enter service.

[Stirling D]

Any word on QPG & EBB returning to service? I read somewhere that QPG has had its rudder installed so should be ready to re-enter service.
I noted QPG in hangar 3 @ BNE yesterday.

[Dennis McLean]

No sign of EBB today, it may be inside the hanger with the door shut, saw QPG inside and of course EBD still outside.

[Stirling D]

No sign of EBB today, it may be inside the hanger with the door shut, saw QPG inside and of course EBD still outside.

It did look like there was a -200 to the right of QPG, possibly EBB?

[C Patters]

Thanks guys for the intel hopefully not long before we see both out of the hanger & flying again

[Tristan S]

EBQ performed a test flight out of MNL today, guessing she'll be back soon.

[Neil Hogbin]

VH-OQI left Victorville for lax at 1210 local qf6023. Last one left to fly out of Victorville.

[Tristan S]

EBQ performed a test flight out of MNL today, guessing she'll be back soon.

On its way back home as QF6036

[Tristan S]

A flight plan has been loaded for OQLs return to Australia from AUH.
She is due into SYD tomorrow (Friday) at 0800L as QF6024
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA6024
This will leave OQA and OQC in AUH and OQI in LAX.

[C Patters]

Can we assume OQL has been refurbished?

[Tristan S]

Guess she wasn't ready to come home yet, she returned to AUH.

[Greg Hyde]

OQL performed a flight test over AUH yesterday.

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

[Tristan S]

OQL performed a flight test over AUH yesterday.

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

So she was never intending to come to SYD yesterday? Interesting that a plan to SYD was filed.

Regardless, another flight plan has been filed AUH SYD as QF6024

[Tristan S]

OQL has arrived back to SYD.

[Tristan S]

QOF has been removed from the register.
OQF AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A380-842 29 31/01/2023 11.130 - Cancelled - Registration Holder Request - Exported to United States of America

[Tristan S]

ET are reporting Qantas will have their remaining 3 B789's delivered in June.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-boeing-787-delivery-2023

[Stirling D]

EBL now wearing 'Pride is in the Air' special livery
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/qantas_qantas-pride-is-in-the-air-livery-reveal-activity-7028509102104317952-jgqh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

[David C]

EBL now wearing 'Pride is in the Air' special livery
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/qantas_qantas-pride-is-in-the-air-livery-reveal-activity-7028509102104317952-jgqh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop


This will probably the aircraft to operate the one off “ pride “ charter from the US

Dave C

[C Patters]

QPG is currently undertaking a test flight which means it should be returning to service very soon which is great news!

[Stirling D]

From a few posts on fb, it looks like EBE has finished up flying passengers and is off to DRS for conversion in the coming days.

[Tristan S]

I wonder if we'll see EBB take to the skies again soon.

[Greg Hyde]

From a few posts on fb, it looks like EBE has finished up flying passengers and is off to DRS for conversion in the coming days.

EBE appeared on Ch9 Syd News last night when some seats, drinks cart, safety cards were auctioned. It is headed to DRS Sunday.

[James Smith]

EBE is flying SYD-CNS-BNE as QF6105/6 at the present. Maybe dropping off some of the auctioned off seats and drink cards that wont fit in a post pack. ;)

Also, when the conversion of the two A332 to freighters was announced by QANTAS one was to be converted in Dresden and the other in Mobile, Alabama. Has that changed in the meantime with both now being converted in Dresden?

[Stirling D]

EBE is flying SYD-CNS-BNE as QF6105/6 at the present. Maybe dropping off some of the auctioned off seats and drink cards that wont fit in a post pack. ;)

Also, when the conversion of the two A332 to freighters was announced by QANTAS one was to be converted in Dresden and the other in Mobile, Alabama. Has that changed in the meantime with both now being converted in Dresden?

I remember reading that too, QF flight status is showing QF6616 tmrw SYD-DRS direct, surely it can’t make it non stop?
https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/flight-status.html?flight-status__type=departing&flight-status__selected-airline=QF&flight-status-number=6616&flight-status__date-field=12022023&flight-status__time-field=00%3A00-23%3A59&flight-status.search=true

[Greg Hyde]

I remember reading that too, QF flight status is showing QF6616 tmrw SYD-DRS direct, surely it can’t make it non stop?
https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/flight-status.html?flight-status__type=departing&flight-status__selected-airline=QF&flight-status-number=6616&flight-status__date-field=12022023&flight-status__time-field=00%3A00-23%3A59&flight-status.search=true

Must be doing a lap of honour.

Now QF6107, BNE to MEL departing shortly

[Brenden S]

EBE doing some training before heading off apparently. The aircraft is empty. Remember there were a few A332's that flew direct TLS-MEL on delivery.

[Greg Hyde]

EBE doing some training before heading off apparently. The aircraft is empty. Remember there were a few A332's that flew direct TLS-MEL on delivery.

thanks, Brenden, training was my next guess

[James Smith]

QPG is also getting in on the bandwagon. Flightaware has it scheduled to operate QF6113 at 17:40 AEDT BNE-SYD. Could be a positional flight in readiness for its return to service.

[Greg Hyde]

EBE is returning to SYD as QF6108

[Stirling D]

QPG is also getting in on the bandwagon. Flightaware has it scheduled to operate QF6113 at 17:40 AEDT BNE-SYD. Could be a positional flight in readiness for its return to service.

Off as 7523 to AKL tmrw.

[Greg Hyde]

delete

[Dennis McLean]

VH-EBE off to Dresden, non stop, departed 20.01 tonight due at 06.51, 20hr 50min

[James Smith]

VH-EBB is scheduled for a 3 hour 20 minute test flight as QF6005 departing BNE at 12:10 today (13/2/23) local time. This will be the A332s first flight in nearly three years. Hopefully, a return to service is imminent.

[Greg Hyde]

Off as 7523 to AKL tmrw.

What was QPG first rev service on return ?

[James Smith]

Greg, QPG flew QF7523/4 SYD-AKL-CHC-SYD overnight on 11,12/2/23. These are scheduled freight flights and would be revenue earning. It then flew QF145/148 SYD-AKL-SYD on 12/2/23 which was her first passenger flight since returning to service. It is now in HND after operating QF25 overnight 12,13/2/23.

[Greg Hyde]

Greg, QPG flew QF7523/4 SYD-AKL-CHC-SYD overnight on 11,12/2/23. These are scheduled freight flights and would be revenue earning. It then flew QF145/148 SYD-AKL-SYD on 12/2/23 which was her first passenger flight since returning to service. It is now in HND after operating QF25 overnight 12,13/2/23.

thanks, james

[C Patters]

Any news on EBD as to whether it will go into the hanger soon for its heavy check?

[Dennis McLean]

EBB landed at 2.20pm

[Tristan S]

Looks like EBE didnt quite have the legs, she has landed in VIE (Vienna)


EDIT: reading that it was a big foggy in DRS. She has made the short hop to DRS just now.

[Stirling D]

EBB Ferrying BNE-SYD as QF6112 this evening

[James Smith]

That's EBB, Stirling. Hopefully, it will return to service tomorrow.

[Laurent Sanhard]

flew on VH EBB to Japan back in 2007 when she was still new with Jetstar

[Stirling D]

That's EBB, Stirling. Hopefully, it will return to service tomorrow.

Whoops, Autocorrect has gotten used to EBE... :cool:

[Stirling D]

VH-VQW ferrying TSV-BNE as JQ7991 in full QantasLink colours.

[James Smith]

EBB has returned to service this morning and is currently operating QF409 from SYD-MEL.

Roll on EBD's return to service.

[Stirling D]

OQJ looks to be operating QF143/146 SYD-AKL-SYD. Nice upgrade from the 738 ��

[C Patters]

I'm guessing the reason OQJ is operating to AKL is to try & clear the backlog of PAX due to the airport closure over recent days because of the cyclone

[Fred C]

OQJ was put on the run to clear the backlog of people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and it causing the airport to shutdown the previous day. OQJ was full both ways!

[Tristan S]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbaPPtRGz2c

EBE's arrival in DRS.
I think you can see EBF in the hangar as EBE is being towed in.

[Kent Broadhead]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbaPPtRGz2c

EBE's arrival in DRS.
I think you can see EBF in the hangar as EBE is being towed in.

Sure looks like it.

[C Patters]

Looks like ZNK is off to Singapore for maintenance as QF81 as ZNJ has now returned to service currently operating SYD-SCL

[Tristan S]

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/Airbus-A380-842/7128891/L

The former OQF...

[Brian Wilkes]

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/Airbus-A380-842/7128891/L

The former OQF...

Real shame!:mad:

[Dennis McLean]

I have had a look at the QF A380 Fleet details on the QF website. It was interesting to note that of the 3 aircraft that have not had the cabin refresh OQA, OQC and OQL that OQL is back here after its overhaul. It appears it has NOT yet done any flights apart from the SYD/SYD flights on 7 and 8 February which I presume were training flights. Perhaps the cabin is being done in Sydney now?? OQA and OQC of course are still in AUH and OQI in LAX. OQC has been there since 21/6/21 so perhaps it will be the last one to "come home". Any comments?

[Tristan S]

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/passengers-spend-night-on-tarmac-after-sydney-storm-20230219-p5clnc.html

Not what you want after a 14hr flight...

[Steve S... 2]

The report has some errors - I know of two other Qantas international flights that diverted - both to Canberra:

QF104 from Honolulu - VH-QPC
QF190 from Tongatapu - VH-VZZ

A number of domestic flights were also diverted and one that was very hard to fathom was Rex flight ZL6674 VH-ZXG from Wagga Wagga to Sydney which diverted to Parkes!? after a 2hr 46mins flight. An interesting flight path it flew...

[James Smith]

I have had a look at the QF A380 Fleet details on the QF website. It was interesting to note that of the 3 aircraft that have not had the cabin refresh OQA, OQC and OQL that OQL is back here after its overhaul. It appears it has NOT yet done any flights apart from the SYD/SYD flights on 7 and 8 February which I presume were training flights. Perhaps the cabin is being done in Sydney now?? OQA and OQC of course are still in AUH and OQI in LAX. OQC has been there since 21/6/21 so perhaps it will be the last one to "come home". Any comments?

Hi Dennis. Have a look at the links below. QANTAS has just announced that they are not resuming MEL-HKG-MEL services in late March as previously scheduled and the resumption will be delayed until at least mid June. This is due to ground handling staff shortages in Hong Kong where the airport there has only recently opened for unrestricted travel.

Because of this they are commencing A380 flights SYD-HKG-SYD from 26/3/23 until 30/4/23 on a daily basis and from 1/5/23-5/6/23 three times per week. The idea being that Melbourne passengers will fly to and from SYD to fly to and from HKG. The article refers to an A380 in the classic configuration operating the services for the three months, which must mean OQL.

This could relegate the refurbishment of OQL to the end of the queue after OQA and OQC. OQI has already been refurbished. As OQL only returned to SYD on 5/2/23 they may have recalled it with the knowledge of the lack of ground staff in HKG.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-sydney-hong-kong-a380
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230217-qfhkg

Sources: Executive Traveller and Aeroroutes

[Stirling D]

I'm not 100% sure, but the 380 cabins are refitted in DRS/AUH aren't they? Not SYD?
VH-OQB DRS
VH-OQD AUH?
VH-OQG DRS
VH-OQH DRS
VH-OQI DRS?
VH-OQJ AUH?
VH-OQK DRS

[James Smith]

Yes Stirling, the A380 cabin refurbishments have been done in either DRS or AUH. I think that QANTAS has brought OQL home without its cabin refurbishment done to fix a HKG airport staff shortage problem by operating the SYD-HKG-SYD flights from 26/3/23. It is a temporary fix that will allow greater passenger throughput into HKG by only operating one flight from Australia. The alternative A330 aircraft have comparable cabin standards to the un-refurbished A380.

OQL hasn't had its wing spar inspections, as far as I can see, as it is a 50 day operation and the aircraft was only in LAX for 8 days, AUH for 47 days and it will only be 45 days from its crew training flight on 7 & 8/2/23 until the HKG flights commence. Another A380 could operate to HKG for the first five days of the flights as there is now spare capacity as MEL-LAX-MEL A380 flights are not reinstated until late October, 2023. Alternatively, they could perform the inspections quicker by providing more engineering resources. So, if OQL doesn't fly until late March it could be having these inspections done in SYD instead of not flying. We shall see.

[Brad Myer]

I would rate the A330-300 cabin streets ahead of an non refurbished A380.

In J class the A333 business suite is a far better product then the old skybeds found on OQL.

In Y class the A333s have a far newer and more modern seat than the A380 fleet.

[Stirling D]

OQH is off to LAX as QF6013 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA6013/history/20230221/1055Z/YSSY/KLAX

[Tristan S]

OQL has filed another SYD SYD flight for later today
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHOQL

[Kent Broadhead]

Interesting fleet news in today's announcements fomr QF:


Five mid-life Airbus A319/320 aircraft to be sourced for Network Aviation to meet continued demand growth from resources clients in Western Australia.
Options for up to 12 additional E190s to be wet leased to QantasLink from Alliance Airlines.
Nine purchase right options for A220-300 aircraft for the domestic fleet to be exercised, taking the total number of A220s on firm order to 29. These additional aircraft will arrive during FY26 and FY27.
Two mid-life A320s for Jetstar Asia, to be based in Singapore, following the downsizing of its fleet during COVID to seven aircraft.
Three additional Airbus A321P2F freighters to help Qantas Freight meet demand with more efficient aircraft.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-returns-to-profit-with-record-half-year-result/

[Tristan S]

I wonder 5 320s for Network are over and above the 4 we know are transferring from JQ and if the 321s are going to be converted JQ frames.

[James Smith]

Also, are the three additional A321P2Ps additional to the six recently announced?

Notice that the A319/320 has been used to describe the mid-life aircraft for Network to meet continued demand growth. It has a B737-700 ring about it with the smaller member of the A320 family mentioned. Stated as growth not as replacements for the F100s.

[Greg Hyde]

Also, are the three additional A321P2Ps additional to the six recently announced?

Notice that the A319/320 has been used to describe the mid-life aircraft for Network to meet continued demand growth. It has a B737-700 ring about it with the smaller member of the A320 family mentioned. Stated as growth not as replacements for the F100s.

The A320's have previously been mentioned are coming from JQ.

[Kent Broadhead]

Also, are the three additional A321P2Ps additional to the six recently announced?

Notice that the A319/320 has been used to describe the mid-life aircraft for Network to meet continued demand growth. It has a B737-700 ring about it with the smaller member of the A320 family mentioned. Stated as growth not as replacements for the F100s.

Yeah, I saw the A319 as a very clear statement. I wonder whether the ex-AA birds are in the mix, although they aren't the only airline retiring the A319.

[Tristan S]

OQI is up on radar, about to head to LHR from LAX.

[lloyd fox]

VH-VQW ferrying TSV-BNE as JQ7991 in full QantasLink colours.

Doing engine runs at BNE this time.:)

[Tristan S]

OQI is up on radar, about to head to LHR from LAX.

Now heading to AUH.

[lloyd fox]

Doing engine runs at BNE this time.:)

VH-VQW today at BNE..I could not read the name correctly sorry Greg.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/79487691@N07/52710925757/in/dateposted/

[Greg Hyde]

VH-VQW today at BNE..I could not read the name correctly sorry Greg.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/79487691@N07/52710925757/in/dateposted/

Thanks anyway Lloyd, It looks like two words when you blow up the image

[MarkR]

Sad to see the 717s go, at least 10 starting in April

[lloyd fox]

Thanks anyway Lloyd, It looks like two words when you blow up the image

Mayby Wave Beach??????

[Greg Hyde]

From CH-Aviation:

The Qantas Group has made modifications to its fleet plan which were outlined during the airline group's half yearly profit results announcement in Sydney on February 23. Two hundred and ninety five aircraft remain on order, with 118 of those planes due to be delivered by the end of the 2029 fiscal year.

"We’re at the start of a major update of the Qantas Group fleet," said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce. Qantas Group airlines include Qantas, Qantas Freight, and Jetstar Airways. But Joyce also said that rolling delivery delays caused by global supply chain issues have required the Qantas Group to make some short-medium term additions to their fleet plan, including;
Five extra mid-life A319/A320s for the Western Australia resources market, with deliveries scheduled during FY2024;

Three extra midlife A321-200(P2F)s to bring forward the Qantas Freight fleet renewal
process, with deliveries planned during FY2025/26;

Two extra A320-200s for Jetstar Asia Airways (3K, Singapore Changi), with those plane arriving during calendar 2023;

The creation of options for an extra twelve E190s, to be wet leased from Alliance Airlines (QQ, Brisbane International); and

The exercising of nine existing options for A220-300s, which deliveries planned during FY2026/27.

"Aircraft manufacturers are seeing the same supply chain delays as a lot of other industries and we’ve been told that some of our deliveries will be pushed back by up to six months," said Joyce. "When you combine the delays with the sustained growth in travel demand that we’re seeing, we need to find other ways to lift capacity in the short and medium term. We’re fortunate to have the scale and the balance sheet to make these decisions, as well as a lot of flexibility in our fleet plan to make adjustments as we need to."

The Qantas Group reported a 2H 2022 before tax profit of AUD1.42 billion Australian dollars (USD970 million dollars) this week. Joyce called it a "huge turnaround." Twelve new aircraft are due to be delivered to Qantas and Jetstar by the end of 2023, including three B787-9s, seven A321-200NX(LR)s (for Jetstar), and two A220-300s. The delivery timelines announced this week reflect the updated Airbus delivery position (a three to six month delivery delay), while those three B787s, the final deliveries in a larger Dreamliner order placed with Boeing, were due to be delivered in 2020 but delayed owing to the pandemic.

In FY2024, that is between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, Qantas Group anticipates the delivery of five A220-300s, three A321Fs, and six A321NX(LR)s. In FY2025, the Group expects a further nine A220-300s, two A321Fs, three A321-200NY(XLR)s, five A320-200neo, and eight A321NX(LR)s. While the 295 aircraft on order will be delivered well into the next decade, the announced firm delivery timeline extends to the end of FY2029 and accounts for 118 aircraft. Notably, towards the end of calendar 2025, Joyce expects the first three Project Sunrise A350-1000s to arrive.

In addition to the supply chain issues impacting aircraft manufacturers, the Qantas Group says other short to medium term fleet delivery and fleet management challenges include MRO slot availability through to early 2025, which is delaying the return-to-service of the remaining A380-800s, and problems with global supply chains for replacement parts, notably sourcing APUs for Jetstar A320s. However, the airline group said they are mitigating these issues by securing near-term delivery slots, sourcing external mid-life A319/A320 aircraft, and temporarily increasing aircraft spare ratios to provide a buffer. The Qantas Group adds that the scale of their fleet size also limits their exposure to problems caused by delivery delays. Joyce said the investment in the additional aircraft is accounted for as part of the increase in Qantas Group’s FY2023 and FY2024 capital expenditure and the additional aircraft will not materially impact overall capital expenditure.

[Greg Hyde]

Just read, don't know how reliable

The first B717 is retiring in March and 8 will be gone by the time the first A220 enters commercial service in November, from then on it’s roughly 1 B717 out each month. The remaining B717s will be gone by September 2024, they are planned to be retired in order of which ones are due for heavy maintenance but subject to change. In Sept 2024, 9 x A220s are planned to be in service.

E190s, Qantas and dash 8s will cover more flying, in fact the B717 stops flying to BNE completely from August and has a drastically reduced schedule to HBA from June.
Utilisation is low due to a lack of tech crew (especially in SYD). All 29 ordered A220s are to be operated by Qantas subsidiary National Jet Systems, assuming they can crew them (NJS tech crew will shortly become the lowest paid jet airline pilots in MEL, SYD and BNE, along with the majority of their cabin crew who are the lowest paid cabin crew in Australian aviation).

[Greg Hyde]

Mayby Wave Beach??????

"Wave Rock" from a reliable source

They must of run out of WA flora

[James Smith]

Wave Rock from a reliable source.

Newly acquired QLink A320 VH-VQW flew BNE-PER yesterday as JQ7991. A few hundred kilometres east of PER it did a left turn and after another hundred kilometres turned right and headed back towards PER. I though that this must have been an ATC delaying measure at first but looking at the aircraft name I think it diverted to fly over Wave Rock, which is roughly in the area flown by VQW.

[Greg Hyde]

Photo opportunity

[Greg Hyde]

Looks like VQW hasn't been handed-over (delivered) to QLink yet.

It is on the PER-BNE-PER run for a couple to days using JQ flight numbers.

[Tristan S]

Looks like VQW hasn't been handed-over (delivered) to QLink yet.

It is on the PER-BNE-PER run for a couple to days using JQ flight numbers.

I can only see it having gone BNE PER after arriving from TSV?

[James Smith]

A380 OQL flew SYD-MEL yesterday as QF6032. Not sure why unless for further training before it starts SYD-HKG-SYD services on 26/3/23.

[Rowan McKeever]

News sources are saying it (OQL) arrived in MEL with no pax but "full of fuel" and will be used, if needed, to refuel smaller aircraft through the refuelers' strike today.

[Greg Hyde]

News sources are saying it (OQL) arrived in MEL with no pax but "full of fuel" and will be used, if needed, to refuel smaller aircraft through the refuelers' strike today.

Rowan, Read the same, fuel tanker

[James Smith]

That's a whale of a tanker! Thanks guys for the information.

[Laurent Sanhard]

A380-800 fuel-tank capacity is around 320 000 liters