QANTAS Fleet and Operations

[James Smith]

Thanks for the details of the special flights by QANTAS to TLV, Stirling. QF9 is scheduled to arrive at LHR at 5:05 each morning. It will turn around to operated to TLV returning to LHR at 19:45.

I presume that QF10 will depart 22:00'ish to PER about 10 hours late and may not operate the PER-MEL-PER leg but return to LHR as QF9 seven or eight hours late. Alternatively, QANTAS could redeploy another B789 from MEL-LAX for example and replace it with an A380 as there are excess A380s at present that could be used prior to the commencement of the NW schedule.

[MarkR]

QF10 is not bookable on Friday and Saturday

[Geoff G]

Interestingly FR24 TLV Arrivals schedule shows VH-ZNN due in at 13:30 local as ASY1168. So operated on behalf of the RAAF rather than thier QF6xxx charter numbers??

[MarkR]

Interestingly FR24 TLV Arrivals schedule shows VH-ZNN due in at 13:30 local as ASY1168. So operated on behalf of the RAAF rather than thier QF6xxx charter numbers??

Qantas don’t have traffic rights into TLV so that probably explains the callsign. Looks like they have delayed the QF10 by 12 hours so maybe the aircraft are doing the TLV rotation then resuming normal ops with crews doubling up at LHR

[Jim M]

ZNN is on the ground in TLV. Arrived a few minutes ago.

[Jim M]

The remaining repatriation flights have been cancelled due to the rapidly changing and volatile conditions.
https://7news.com.au/news/conflict/qantas-repatriation-flight-carries-australians-out-of-israel-but-palestinian-australians-fear-for-loved-ones-c-12200920

[Brenden S]

VXA had it's YES decals removed last night. Spotters in Perth have reported it is back to standard livery. Does anyone know if VFP and TQZ have had the same treatment?

[James Smith]

A380, OQL has just left SYD for SIN as QF6001. Does anyone know what the flight is for - maintenance, refurbishment, repatriation or? If to the middle east for repatriation reasons it would probably be operating non-stop. Hopefully, the flight is for refurbishment but AUH and DRS have been the locations where this has been done up to now.

Also, OQH will probably return to SYD this week after repainting in PUS. Hopefully OQI, being the only remaining A380 in the previous livery, will be able to be squeezed in for repainting in PUS before the start of the NW schedules.

[Wenglock M]

A380, OQL has just left SYD for SIN as QF6001. Does anyone know what the flight is for - maintenance, refurbishment, repatriation or? If to the middle east for repatriation reasons it would probably be operating non-stop. Hopefully, the flight is for refurbishment but AUH and DRS have been the locations where this has been done up to now.

Also, OQH will probably return to SYD this week after repainting in PUS. Hopefully OQI, being the only remaining A380 in the previous livery, will be able to be squeezed in for repainting in PUS before the start of the NW schedules.

OQL appears to be off to LHR after SIN.

[James Smith]

Thanks Wenglock. The flight is possibly positioning to LHR to pick up the passengers from the first repatriation flight from TLV to LHR. Maybe it will return to Australia via the middle east to also pick up passengers from more recent military repatriation flights to Dubai.

[James Smith]

QF6001 is due to land in LHR in less than an hour operated by A380 OQL.

There is also a Qatar Airways flight QR7424 currently operating DWC-SYD by B77W which is due to arrive at 17:55 today. This is probably a repatriation flight carrying passengers from the TVL-DWC military flights. Interesting to see a Qatar Airways flight to Australia operating from Dubai Al Maktoum. Unfortunately, the flight is being operated by A7-BAL, which is not one of the ex-Virgin B777s.

[MarkR]

QF6001 is due to land in LHR in less than an hour operated by A380 OQL.

There is also a Qatar Airways flight QR7424 currently operating DWC-SYD by B77W which is due to arrive at 17:55 today. This is probably a repatriation flight carrying passengers from the TVL-DWC military flights.

I suspect OQL maybe replacing OQI on the QF1/2 rotation, not sure why. FWIW the QR flight was probably picking up the last leg of the repatriation flights, which as far as I can tell were operated out of Israel by HiFly A330/340s. I have been unable to ascertain what RAAF assets are helping, and are somewhat surprised to see no MRTT ops given that seems to be the aircraft of choice for quite a few other nations.

[Rowan McKeever]

I've seen on another forum that the Australian repat flights from TLV to DWC were operated by one of the MRTTs (1 flight) and C-17 (2 flights).

[MarkR]

I've seen on another forum that the Australian repat flights from TLV to DWC were operated by one of the MRTTs (1 flight) and C-17 (2 flights).

Yes, RAAF have confirmed - good to see Two RAAF aircraft – a KC-30A and a C-17A Globemaster III – have joined a Government-supported private charter in safely airlifting people from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates..

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-10-17/adf-support-israel-departures

A39-003 is the MRTT - https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/A39003

[MarkR]

Looks like OQL is a repatriation flight, due to leave at 9PM London time

[Jim M]

Looks like OQL will be operating as ASY1172 via DWC.

[James Smith]

After a four and a half stop over in DWC, A380 OQL has just departed on its continued repatriation flight to SYD with a scheduled arrival time of 20:15 this evening, at this stage.

[C Patters]

Does anyone know what has happened to ZND as it looks like its stuck in JFK?

[James Smith]

Can't help with the reason for the unserviceability but that is why today's QF3 was cancelled.

[James Smith]

Does anyone know what has happened to ZND as it looks like its stuck in JFK?

ZND has just ferried from JFK to LAX as QF6001 so will get some maintenance or repairs at the QANTAS facility there.

[Michael Mak]

EBP is currently flying SYD-NRT as QF301, perhaps a charter?

ZNB is currently flying MEL-HKG as QF29, is it replacing ZNA which has been in maintenance in HKG since early October?

Any updates on EBD?

[James Smith]

As you suggested Michael, ZNB has replaced ZNA in maintenance in HKG with ZNA currently operating QF30 back to MEL. BTW, QF3 is cancelled again today with ZND being unserviceable and ferrying to LAX from JFK on Wednesday.

EBP is currently ferrying back to SYD from NRT as QF6002 after operating a charter flight there.

No update on EBD, OQJ or the other two desert dwellers. Also, QPI has been in maintenance in BNE since 1/8/23.

[James Smith]

In other QANTAS news:

SYD-HNL-SYD to be operated by B789 from 31/3/24, replacing A333.

QF191/192 SYD-POM-SYD commences on 1/4/24 twice weekly (Mon and Fri) operated by B738. Not sure whether this will affect Air Niugini's twice weekly services which also operate on the same two days per week.

[Brenden S]

EBD is in maintenance I am sure.

[James Smith]

ZND has ferried back to JFK after maintenance and is about to depart as Friday's QF4 to AKL and SYD arriving tomorrow.

[James Smith]

QPI is currently flying an after maintenance test flight BNE-BNE as QF6103, doing circles in the sky, and after two and a half hours is now returning to BNE.

[Tristan S]

Looks like ON will be operating some QF*Link/Network flights between BME and PER, perhaps because of strikes?

ON7817 and ON7819 (https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/flight-status.html?flight-status__type=departing&from=Broome%2C+Australia+%28BME%29&flight-status-route-from=BME&to=Perth%2C+Australia+%28PER%29&flight-status-route-to=PER&flight-status__selected-airline=QF&flight-status__date-field=01112023&flight-status__time-field=00%3A00-23%3A59&flight-status.search=true)

[Rowan McKeever]

Appears that NXN will operate a couple of PBO rotations tomorrow as well (QF17XX).

[Greg Hyde]

VH-NXD is expected to be the next B717 retired.

A fuel bladder has been fitted to increase the range.

[Tristan S]

QPI is currently flying an after maintenance test flight BNE-BNE as QF6103, doing circles in the sky, and after two and a half hours is now returning to BNE.

After ferrying to MEL from BNE, QPI has reentered service, currently operating QF79 MEL HND

[James Smith]

Originally Posted by Dennis McLean on 9/10/23
I just had a quick look at the A.380's. There are 6 in service now only, with J in AUH since 5-7-23, over 3 months presume maintenance ?, H in PUS for painting, A still in AUH since 18-11-22 and C in AUH since 21-6-21.
B on the way LHR/SIN, K on the way SIN/LHR, D in SYD from SIN today, G in LAX from SYD local time 08/10/23, I in Syd from SIN today, L in SYD from LAX today.


Dennis, just commenting on your post from early October.

There are seven QANTAS A380s currently in service with OQH having returned to LAX from PUS on 21/10/23 after its repaint. I would expect that OQJ will return to service, hopefully this month, to provide some flexibility in the NW A380 schedule. She has been in AUH for 4 months now but was one of only two A380s that didn't go to AUH for lengthy maintenance prior to recommencing service, following storage. The other was OQD who was at AUH for maintenance when COVID emerged and positioned directly to LAX (not VCV) for storage and has recently had maintenance in SIN.

The new NW schedules have increased flying for the A380s. QF127/128 SYD-HKG-SYD is being operated by A380s five days per week building up to daily from January to 23/2/24. OQL is to operate this service mostly but OQB looks to be doing it today. Also, QF93/94 MEL-LAX-MEL is commencing A380 operations twice per week for NW with the first flight QF94 from LAX arriving tomorrow in MEL.

These increases mean that QANTAS needs an extra one and a half A380s, one for HKG and the other for the two services per week to LAX. Added to the five needed for QF1/2 and QF11/12 this equals seven aircraft with some flexibility. So, QANTAS need an extra A380 in service as a replacement to meet any unserviceability or other issues that may arise. OQJ can provide this when it returns to service. Until then QANTAS would need to juggle the schedule with maybe an A330 to operate to HKG to free OQL for other A380 services at the last minute.

It looks as though OQL's refurbishment is on the back burner until after late February, 2024 at the earliest, unless either OQA or OQC make a return to service. Maybe the return to service of some of the Etihad A380s has put QANTAS maintenance down the order. Looking further ahead, in the QANTAS NS schedule QF93/94 increases to six A380 services per week from July and QF63/64 commences A380 services in early July when all ten A380s will need to be flying for QANTAS to operate this increased flying.

[Dennis McLean]

Thanks James.

[James Smith]

B717 VH-NXD has left CBR for APW (5 hours) as SXI2366 on the first leg of its ferry flight to VCV. I read somewhere that a temporary fuel bladder had been fitted to increase the range of these flights, hence the more direct Pacific crossing for NXD and not over the northern Pacific or through Europe.

[Tristan S]

B717 VH-NXD has left CBR for APW (5 hours) as SXI2366 on the first leg of its ferry flight to VCV. I read somewhere that a temporary fuel bladder had been fitted to increase the range of these flights, hence the more direct Pacific crossing for NXD and not over the northern Pacific or through Europe.

She's coming back to SYD after doing a few loops over NLK
No indication of why.

(side note: must be some gnarly headwinds, looking at the ground speed it has dropped by 100-150kts)

[Rowan McKeever]

NXD landed back in CBR. No surprise, it was a technical issue but I know no more than that.

[James Smith]

Maybe it has bladder problems! :o

[Greg Hyde]

Maybe it has bladder problems! :o

It comes with old age.

[James Smith]

B717 VH-NXD has left CBR again this morning, after fixing its technical issue, for APW as SXI2366 on the first leg of its ferry flight to VCV.

[Adrian B]

If the Flightaware stats are correct, looks like someone tapped the brakes. NXD went from 610knts to 484 knots in 3 minutes - whilst holding altitude....
Flightaware SXI2366 (https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/SXI2366/history/20231108/2030Z/YSCB/NSFA)

[Greg Hyde]

NXD has completed its ferry to VCV.

[James Smith]

A380 OQK left SYD yesterday evening for SIN as QF6021 and is continuing north-west towards the middle east presumably to AUH for maintenance, possibly to replace OQJ which has been there since 5 July. Flightaware and Flightradar24 are both not showing a destination for OQK.

Further to my information above, I have found a QANTAS flight status page online and it tells me that QF6021 is flying SIN-DRS which explains why it stopped in SIN, as if flying to AUH it could have flown non-stop from SYD. This puts only six A380s in service and QANTAS needs seven to maintain its current timetable. QF127 to HKG is departing from gate 33 today which is not an A380 gate, so this flight will be operated by an A330.

[James Smith]

From another forum, OQK has flown to DRS for a gear change. How long does this take to perform?

The next A380 to return to service from AUH (OQJ?) will perform test flights over the next few days and is due to ferry to SYD this Thursday, 16/11/23. QF127 is scheduled to be operated by an A333 today and a B789 tomorrow.

[Michael Mak]

Does that mean ZNB will operate QF128 tomorrow?

[MarkR]

From another forum, OQK has flown to DRS for a gear change. How long does this take to perform?

The next A380 to return to service from AUH (OQJ?) will perform test flights over the next few days and is due to ferry to SYD this Thursday, 16/11/23. QF127 is scheduled to be operated by an A333 today and a B789 tomorrow.

Complete gear change take two weeks.

[James Smith]

The QF schedules show an A333 on QF128 tonight which is probably the aircraft that did QF127 today, Michael. But they could swap at the last minute, although the A333 would have the greater seating capacity.

If a B789 is operating QF127 tomorrow, Michael then ZNB could operate QF128 tomorrow evening and the other B789 would replace it in maintenance. ZNB has been in HKG for just about three weeks which is how long ZNA was in maintenance there.

[James Smith]

OQJ is currently operating a test flight AUH-AUH as QF6038 and will be the next QANTAS A380 to return to SYD.

[Jim M]

ZND is in Sydney now and ZNH is inbound on the QF8, with ZNL inbound on the QF4.
Possibly Emily to HKG?

[Stirling D]

ZND is in Sydney now and ZNH is inbound on the QF8, with ZNL inbound on the QF4.
Possibly Emily to HKG?

ZNL looks to be operating 127.

[Michael Mak]

Is ZNL in for maintenance? Curious to know what work will be done as she’s quite a new frame, was only delivered a few months back in July?

[Stirling D]

Is ZNL in for maintenance? Curious to know what work will be done as she’s quite a new frame, was only delivered a few months back in July?

Operating back as QF128

[Michael Mak]

Ah thanks Stirling. I wonder when ZNB will come back then, it’s been there for almost 3 weeks now.

[James Smith]

After its 3 hour 44 minute test flight from AUH yesterday, A380 VH-OQJ is scheduled, according to Flightaware, to depart AUH as QF6014 in a couple of hours for SYD, with an estimated arrival time of 5:24am tomorrow, Wednesday morning. OQJ's return to service will restore the QANTAS A380 fleet to seven which was only at six since last Saturday when OQK departed for DRS.

Hopefully, either OQA or OQC will be next to receive the maintenance in AUH that they need to return to service.

[Jim M]

Just out of interest for today, the QF145/148 SYD-AKL-SYD rotation being operated by 789 ZNN instead of the usual A330.

[Tristan S]

After its 3 hour 44 minute test flight from AUH yesterday, A380 VH-OQJ is scheduled, according to Flightaware, to depart AUH as QF6014 in a couple of hours for SYD, with an estimated arrival time of 5:24am tomorrow, Wednesday morning. OQJ's return to service will restore the QANTAS A380 fleet to seven which was only at six since last Saturday when OQK departed for DRS.

Hopefully, either OQA or OQC will be next to receive the maintenance in AUH that they need to return to service.

OQJ is due to operate a VERY delayed QF1 this evening with an ETD of 2215 (~6hr delay)

[James Smith]

Yeh, I guess after over four months of maintenance the interior probably needs a good spring clean or the once over by QANTAS staff, especially if they performed maintenance on the air conditioning, internal electrics or entertainment units while in AUH. Or, if it was one of the bigger maintenance checks where they pull out all of the interior like they did in the Etihad A380, getting ready to return to service video.

[Greg Hyde]

NXI was deleted from the VH-reg on 15/11/2023 as exported to USA.

[Jim M]

Ah thanks Stirling. I wonder when ZNB will come back then, it’s been there for almost 3 weeks now.
ZNC is currently enroute to HKG as QF29 from MEL. ZNB is scheduled to operate QF30 tonight from HKG to MEL so it looks like the changeover is happening tonight.

[James Smith]

The ZNB/ZNC HKG maintenance change over has taken place with ZNB now back in MEL (QF30) and ZNC (QF29) in HKG. ZNB is about to position to SYD as QF6002.

Interestingly, ZNC operated an Antarctic charter on Sunday as QF1330 MEL-MEL with 13:26 being the flight time.

[Jim M]

ZNB operating today's QF28 from SCL to SYD has diverted to AKL, presumably because due to the very late departure from SCL, it wouldn't make the Sydney curfew. Interestingly though, there may be more of the same with tomorrow's QF28, because ZNL is currently heading to SCL as QF27 but left Sydney 5.5 hors late at around 1800 tonight, instead of the usual 1235 lunchtime departure, which will again delay the return QF28.

[Mitchell M.]

Does anyone know the name of VH-NXH? Thanks.

[Greg Hyde]

Does anyone know the name of VH-NXH? Thanks.

Hi Mitchell,

Welcome

NXH is "Grampians National Park"

[C Patters]

Does anyone have an update on EBD given it’s been in heavy maintenance for months now surely it’s getting close to returning to service?
Also is there something wrong with OQI as it hasn’t flown in a few days?

[James Smith]

EBD has been in maintenance for eight months now. The only news we have heard a while ago (post #741, 742 this thread) is that it would be returning to service this year. So, not too long to wait, now!

[James Smith]

Originally Posted by Patters C. View Post
Also is there something wrong with OQI as it hasn’t flown in a few days?


OQI is operating QF1 this afternoon.

[C Patters]

Thanks James

[James Smith]

From another forum, ex Spirit Airlines A319 N504NK has been spotted in P08 (Coolidge, Arizona) in QANTAS LINK colours. It is to be registered VH-8NQ.

[Brenden S]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53357737112_f01ffe6919.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pi3mhG)N504NK A319, QantasLink, Coolidge 11-26-23 (https://flic.kr/p/2pi3mhG) by DUNCAN KIRK (https://www.flickr.com/photos/182528221@N07/), on Flickr

[Stuart McCarthy]

VH-NXH due out of YSCB to NSFA at approx 0700 Thursday as SXI2380

[Greg Hyde]

VH-NXH due out of YSCB to NSFA at approx 0700 Thursday as SXI2380

What a difference a fuel bladder makes, either a 3 week or a 3 days to trip to VCV.

[Greg Hyde]

What a difference a fuel bladder makes, either a 3 week or a 3 days to trip to VCV.

NXH has completed its ferry to VCV.

[James Smith]

There is currently a QANTAS flight (QF201) that left SYD for SIN yesterday evening, 2/12/23 and is currently on its way to LHR. It is operated by A380 OQI.

This flight is presumably a passenger charter flight. Does anyone know if OQI will be returning to SYD from LHR or maybe swapping with OQK in DRS for gear change maintenance if it is due, or heading to AUH itself for maintenance? It could even swap with OQH which is shortly due into LHR as QF1 and operate QF2 home.

[Greg Hyde]

VH-NXR was deleted from the register on 01/12/2023 as exported to USA.

[Brenden S]

In my frequent flyer email. QOW Dash 8 and a unknown 737-838 have had some Christmas decals applied.

[lloyd fox]

Yes QOW was seen yesterday on one of BNE live streams.Has 3 red kangaroos forward of the wing and a red sleigh behind the wing with 3 presents being tossed from the sleigh.That's what it looks like to me.:)

[Bob C]

And the Dash 8 looks very good indeed in the simple Christmas scheme.

[C Patters]

Looks like EBF hasn't flown in a few days has been in Sydney for the last week. Does anyone know if its because of mechanical issues?

Some cool images of EBE on FB https://www.facebook.com/europeanaviator
Appears to be finished & ready for a paint job in PUS!

[Greg Hyde]

VH-NXD was deleted from the register on 08/12/23 as exported to USA

[Stirling D]

OQK due back into SYD at 1430 tomorrow from DRS, QF6022.

[Tristan S]

OQK due back into SYD at 1430 tomorrow from DRS, QF6022.

Clip uploaded by EFW who performed the maintenance.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/685244336923193

Looks like it was some gear work.

[C Patters]

Looks like EBD is close to undertaking a test flight after being in maintenance in Brisbane as you can see her being towed out of the hanger (approx 5.52hrs) in the recent live stream by "Julia Flights" over the weekend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSnzEp-ZOyU

[Stirling D]

Looks like EBD is close to undertaking a test flight after being in maintenance in Brisbane as you can see her being towed out of the hanger (approx 5.52hrs) in the recent live stream by "Julia Flights" over the weekend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSnzEp-ZOyU

Scheduled to operate QF6100 BNE-BNE today.

[James Smith]

QANTAS said that EBD would have its maintenance completed in the 4Q 2023. They have made it. QF6100 is scheduled to depart at 10:00 AEST with flight time of approximately 4 hours. It will be great to see her back in service after last flying in March, 2020.

[MarkR]

QANTAS said that EBD would have its maintenance completed in the 4Q 2023. They have made it. QF6100 is scheduled to depart at 10:00 AEST with flight time of approximately 4 hours. It will be great to see her back in service after last flying in March, 2020.

It was suggested the corrosion would see it parted out, so it good to see its back, no doubt aircraft prices and shortages came into play, hopefully AirNZ and QF won’t be storing aircraft at BNE/AKL for any length of time in the future.

[C Patters]

EBD will be a very welcome addition to the network especially on the East / West routes & Melb to Syd during peak periods.
QPJ is still under maintenance in Brisbane which should return sometime in the NY after having a heavy check done.

[James Smith]

EBD is scheduled to position from BNE-SYD as QF6005 this morning after which it should be returning to service after nearly 3 years and 9 months in storage and under maintenance. A great restorative result from the QANTAS engineers and other staff.

[lloyd fox]

Not so quick James...VH-EBD just aborted his takeoff and now taxiing back to the hangar.

Oh well.:)

[James Smith]

Thanks for the update, Lloyd. EBD finally departed BNE at 12:05 AEST.

[Tristan S]

EBD has re-entered service, currently operating QF643 SYD PER

[Greg Hyde]

NXM was deleted from the register on 21/12/2023

[Greg Hyde]

Network F100 VH-NHC was deleted from the register on 03/01/24 as scrapped.

[Greg Hyde]

B717 VH-YQU departed Canberra this morning for VCV via the Pacific as SXI2402.

[Greg Hyde]

By my reckoning that leaves 11 to go.

NXE, G, L, N, O, Q, YQS, T, W, X, Y

[Zac M]

NXL has been parked up in Canberra for the best part of a month now, i suspect she is done.

[C Patters]

Does anyone know what's wrong with ZNM? Seems to be stuck in NY

[Greg Hyde]

I wonder if YQU & 8NP will cross paths (with good separation) in the middle of the Pacific

[Greg Hyde]

VH-YQU is about to land at VCV and complete her ferry.

What a difference a fuel bladder makes, 3days vs 3weeks !

[James Smith]

I wish I could get a new bladder that would give me longer flight time!!! :(

[James Smith]

Originally Posted by C Patters
Does anyone know what's wrong with ZNM? Seems to be stuck in NY.

ZNM operated QF3 departing SYD and arriving in JFK on Monday 8 January. The returning QF4 was cancelled with ZNM having just left JFK as Wednesday's QF4, to schedule but two days later. It is flying a very northerly USA circle route, possibly due to weather and will cross the US west coast somewhere north of SFO to AKL. The QF3 scheduled for yesterday from SYD was also cancelled. I don't know the reason for Monday's cancellation from JFK. Hopefully, tomorrow's QF3 will operate as planned.

[Adrian B]

I wish I could get a new bladder that would give me longer flight time!!! :(


As close as your local Bunnings Warehouse:)

Your new bladder (https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-20l-pressure-washer-water-bladder_p3381263)....

[James Smith]

Thanks a lot Adrian for your research. At $21.98 I can buy an extra 20 litres. I shall place it under the bed for that pressure moment, or three! ;)

[Greg Hyde]

I wish I could get a new bladder that would give me longer flight time!!! :(

So say all of us !!

[Adrian B]

Not sure of the accuracy but did anyone see this article come out?

Qantas orders 12 more Boeing 787 Dreamliners (https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/qantas-orders-12-more-boeing-787-dreamliners/?fbclid=IwAR33BsAkInWzPYcDnxbaMpzHwMFkiT51TJfrne68 5aosaED10DhWXa7Vm4E)

[Greg Hyde]

Not sure of the accuracy but did anyone see this article come out?

Qantas orders 12 more Boeing 787 Dreamliners (https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/qantas-orders-12-more-boeing-787-dreamliners/?fbclid=IwAR33BsAkInWzPYcDnxbaMpzHwMFkiT51TJfrne68 5aosaED10DhWXa7Vm4E)

I think this that same 12 that QF announced last July.

Someone has picked up from the Boeing orders that was published recently.

[C Patters]

Any update on when EBS will return from heavy maintenance in AUH?

[Tristan S]

Any update on when EBS will return from heavy maintenance in AUH?

Currently flying circuits in Persian Gulf, so I would guess soon.

[Kent Broadhead]

Currently flying circuits in Persian Gulf, so I would guess soon.

Due to depart AUH today for SYD

[Greg Hyde]

Announced last year,

Qantas is installing Split Scimitar Winglets on 23 of our Boeing 737-800, which will
increase the fleet’s fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The Split Scimitar Winglet System is a modification of the current Blended Winglet
System. It further reduces aerodynamic drag on the aircraft resulting in fuel savings
and carbon emissions reduction, as well as increasing payload, range and take-off
performance capability.

Qantas B737-800 aircraft fly both domestic and international sectors.

The installation will begin in December 2023 at our maintenance base in Brisbane,
Queensland and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

When installation is completed, it is expected carbon emissions will reduce by 8,000
tonnes per year.

It looks like the retro-fits may of started ?

[Chris Z]

EBS is on its way back to SYD.

[C Patters]

Given its 23 of the Qantas B737-800 aircraft that are getting the Split Scimitar Winglets installed the regos would be VZT-VZZ & XZA-XZP all of which are the newer B737's that have the "Boeing Sky Interiors".

[Lauren J]

The installation will begin in December 2023 at our maintenance base in Brisbane

VZT flew to Hong Kong on the 30th of December and hasn't flown since. HAECO is a major installer of Boeing winglets, and actually installed some split scimitar winglets for Virgin Australia.
According to FlightAware, there are no Qantas 737SFPs in storage in Brisbane, which could suggest that the final installation will actually be completed in Hong Kong by HAECO, starting with VH-VZT. Of course this is just speculation.

[Zac M]

VZU is in BNE maintenance since December 17, quite possible that both it and VZT will emerge with them

[Lauren J]

VZU is in BNE maintenance since December 17, quite possible that both it and VZT will emerge with them

Thanks, I wasn't sure as VZU's last listed flight is a cancelled SYD-BNE leg, so I assumed it was still in Sydney.

[Greg Hyde]

Just had a look at the Network Fokker fleet and was surprised to see how many they had left

NHA, NHF, NHG, NHI, NHJ, NHK, NHM, NHN, NHO, NHP, NHV, NHY, NHZ, NQE, NPU Active (Flown recently)
NHQ XSP (Maint?)
NQZ Spares

I see more A319s & A320 (from JQ) in the future.

[Zac M]

VH-NXL will depart Canberra for Victorville tomorrow morning.

NXG has been parked at the far end of the airport at Canberra for the last two weeks, I would assume that once NXL departs it will be towed over and preparations will begin for its ferry to VCV

[Greg Hyde]

NXL has finally departed Canberra for Apia this morning as SXI2411 after a couple of false starts (scheduled but not flown)

[C Patters]

VZT is on its way back to AU from HK after having completed its maintenance checks. Be interesting if the Split Scimitar Winglets have been installed? VZU can't be far away either from returning to service.

[Zac M]

VZT no splits and no repaint.

Not mentioned here either but VXB recently had a check in HKG and lost the Yananyi Dreaming decal and also the Yananyi name

[Tristan S]

The winglet work will be done in Brisbane

"The installation will begin in December 2023 at our maintenance base in Brisbane, Queensland and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026."

Source: https://investor.qantas.com/DownloadFil ... 714098.pdf

[Greg Hyde]

NXL has completed her ferry to VCV.

[Stirling D]

VZU is the first to appear with splits.

[Tristan S]

https://www.facebook.com/Qantas/posts/pfbid0UjCgLWf5h2WxWGTB72MqNPUjtdMdbSqJwF2mGvTJHS1G ZUhgqMnooxzJY5TBo5efl

QF have put up this clip of the fitting of the Split Scimitar winglets.

[MarkR]

Interesting to see one of the QF 717s being converted to a Delta bird at Victorville, or maybe it’s just the 757 parked in front of it!
https://twitter.com/JetPhotos/status/1754960220076355790/photo/1

[Tristan S]

Interesting to see one of the QF 717s being converted to a Delta bird at Victorville, or maybe it’s just the 757 parked in front of it!
https://twitter.com/JetPhotos/status/1754960220076355790/photo/1

Definitely a 757 nose.

[Greg Hyde]

Definitely a 757 nose.

A couple more from Jetphotos

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11214448 (Original from above post)
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11214335
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11202508

[Tristan S]

ET Reporting a few changes to QF's international schedules, centered mainly around the A380

- SYD-AKL-JFK wont become daily in AUG24, as was previously slated, but should become 6 per week from OCT24
- MEL-LAX daily will be operated by B787s for 5 days per week with the A380 only 2 days per week
- A380s on SYD-JNB pushed back to SEP24

QF also reporting that only one of the two remaining A380s (OQA/OQC) will return this year due to 'supply chain issues'

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-a380-flights

[MarkR]

Quite a few changes in addition to those mentioned :

https://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/657462-qantas-spirit-outsourcing-maintenance.html#post11592713

[Brenden S]

https://michaelwest.com.au/qantas-pilots-strike-and-consultants-galore/

[lloyd fox]

N488AY ex VH-XMO ...733F departed BNE earlier for Majuro as it leaves our country for good.

[Steve S... 2]

It must have a new owner/future overseas?

[MarkR]

It must have a new owner/future overseas?

Parted out @ MZJ I suspect

[MarkR]

VH-EBB had a long flight (extra 2 hrs) from Perth to Melbourne thanks to ADL being unavailable as an alternate
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-ebb#34013057

[Zac M]

NXG is scheduled to leave Canberra tomorrow morning, that said if the last few are anything to go off there’s bound to be a false start or two, so later in the week likely more realistic

[Greg Hyde]

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/VHNXG

Flight SXI2414

[Michael Mak]

VH-ZND returned from HKG this evening as QF6010 following a C-Check at HAECO in HKG, she was there from 1/2 to 20/2. VH-ZNE is now off to HKG, presumably for C-Check too as QF6011, ETA 0436.

[C Patters]

Looks like though they didn't repair the engine cowling (still has tape on the side) & also it needed a paint touch up near cockpit windows which wasn't done as well. Thought all these things are done when the aircraft goes in for a check??

[Greg Hyde]

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/VHNXG

Flight SXI2414

Arrived in Honolulu as QF6070

[Tristan S]

Qantas press release, including the reveal of the A220 interior.

"QANTAS GROUP EXPANDS INVESTMENT IN CUSTOMERS"

New interior of QantasLink A220s revealed; first flights now on sale.
Order for 8 additional A321XLRs for Qantas Domestic.
Acceleration of Wi-Fi on international flights from late 2024.
Major digital investment to help streamline travel experience on the ground.
Jetstar adding more than 400,000 seats to meet strong demand for low fare leisure travel[1].
New trial with banks to proactively refund COVID flight credits.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-expands-investment-in-customers/

[Greg Hyde]

Also from above:

FLEET AND SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE

The Group took delivery of eight new and mid-life aircraft during 1H24 as its fleet renewal program ramps up. A further 14 aircraft are expected to arrive during 2H24. Below are key updates on the Group’s overall fleet plan; please refer to Investor Presentation for more detail.

8 additional A321XLRs have been allocated to Qantas Domestic from the Group’s existing Airbus order. This takes the total number of this type allocated to Qantas Domestic to 28 as part of the gradual replacement of its 737 fleet.

Four additional mid-life A319s have been purchased for Network Aviation and will be based in WA to help meet demand from the resources sector. These additional aircraft are expected to arrive progressively during calendar 2024, taking this fleet to nine.

Manufacturing delays have impacted the delivery dates for the first A321XLR for Qantas Domestic by three months to early-2025 and the A350 for Qantas International (and Project Sunrise) by approximately six months to mid-2026.

The A321LRs delivered to Jetstar are achieving a 20 per cent improvement in fuel burn per seat, contributing to a 12 per cent unit cost improvement compared with the older A320s they replace. This is helping towards the Group’s interim emission reduction target of 25 per cent[5] by 2030.

[Stirling D]

OQD is operating QF7168 MEL-SYD this afternoon to cover for the weather cancellations.

[James Smith]

Airservices Australia has restricted capacity into SYD this afternoon due to forecast severe thunderstorms. QANTAS has combined three MEL-SYD B738 flights into one A380 flight with OQD scheduled to reposition from SYD to MEL shortly as QF6005 to operate the return flight which is due to leave MEL as QF7168 at 17:00 and arrive in SYD at 18:40 at the international terminal.

The following link is to the applicable QANTAS media release which contains further details:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-a380-to-fly-special-melbourne-to-sydney-flight/

[Greg Hyde]

The Swifties may get a bit wet.

[Jason Carruthers]

Out of curiosity can the A380 fit into the old 747 domestic parking bays at SYD and MEL, or is bussing required to a remote bay.

[Stirling D]

Out of curiosity can the A380 fit into the old 747 domestic parking bays at SYD and MEL, or is bussing required to a remote bay.

Parking at INTL.

[Adrian B]

Maps and codes for Melbourne here:

YMML Apron Chart 1 (https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/current/dap/MMLAP01-177_30NOV2023.pdf)

YMML Apron Chart 2 - Bays (https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/current/dap/MMLAP02-177_30NOV2023.pdf)

YMML Apron Charts page 3 (https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/current/dap/MMLAP03-177_30NOV2023.pdf)

YSSY and all other AU airports available here. (https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/current/dap/AeroProcChartsTOC.htm#M)

[Andrew C]

QF A380 VH-OQK 24/2/2024 off to Abu Dhabi (AUH) QF6015
What's happening with OQK?

is it off to get some attention?

[Brenden S]

Probably heavy maintenance Andrew.

[Greg Hyde]

B717 VH-NXH was deleted from the VH-Reg on 26/02/2024

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQL is operating SYD-AUH at present as QF6015 for maintenance which I hope includes its refurbishment. OQK has also been in AUH since 24/2/24 undergoing maintenance which means that QANTAS will be operating with six A380s for an indeterminant time. This is able to be achieved as QF127/128 completed its summer A380 operations to HKG on Tuesday morning of this week.

[Brodie L]

VH-VZV has re-appeared from Hong Kong maintenance with the split scimitar winglets

[Tristan S]

https://cargofacts.com/allposts/carriers/qantas-to-retire-boeing-freighters-in-2024/

The 4 remaining Boeing Freighters (2 x 733, 1 x 734 and 1 x 763) will be gone by the end of the year with three additional A321Fs due this year.

Edit: this would mean the last VH- registered 767 will be gone by years end.

[Zac M]

I’m skeptical as to what they’re replacing the 767 with…The two A330 freighters appear to be on contract to AUS Post whereas EFR usually operates to Hong Kong etc.

Also if EFR were to go there is still B767s on the register operating for Tasman Cargo/DHL

[Tristan S]

I’m skeptical as to what they’re replacing the 767 with…The two A330 freighters appear to be on contract to AUS Post whereas EFR usually operates to Hong Kong etc.

Also if EFR were to go there is still B767s on the register operating for Tasman Cargo/DHL

Ahh yes, you're correct - I retract my last comment. Two other 76s for Tasman.

[MarkR]

I’m skeptical as to what they’re replacing the 767 with…The two A330 freighters appear to be on contract to AUS Post whereas EFR usually operates to Hong Kong etc.

Also if EFR were to go there is still B767s on the register operating for Tasman Cargo/DHL

EFR is up for sale https://www.myairtrade.com/available/B767, interesting along with A320 VQG they are the only 2

[Brenden S]

With more A321P2Fs arriving soon, this will be replacing the 3 B737F's and the 767F. I am sure we will see the A330 head to HKG soon enough.

[James Smith]

AeroRoutes published a few months ago that the A332P2F was going to operate QF7525/7526 SYD-HKG-SYD from 2/6/24. I presume that this will replace the current three times per week B763F that is operating the route.

The B763F also currently operates QF7523/7524 to AKL and CHC once a week on Thursday evening ex SYD, with the A332P2F currently operating on Mon, Tue and Wed ex SYD. Both EBE & EBF have operated this service in the past few weeks.

[Ben W]

Any word on OQA and OQC?

[Michael Mak]

VH-EBM A332 has re-entered revenue service today (20/3) and did a BNE-AKL-BNE rotation as QF119/126 following maintenance in BNE since February 7th.

[Michael Mak]

VH-ZNE B789 is currently operating HKG-SYD as QF6010 following maintenance at HEACO since February 20th. Presumably ZNF will be off to maintenance soon.

[Michael Mak]

As predicted, VH-ZNF is off to HKG for maintenance as QF6011 tonight (March 24th).

[Michael Mak]

VH-EBN has not flown since arriving BNE from LAX on March 13th, presumably it is getting wifi work done?

[Greg Hyde]

Reportedly B717's YQX & NXN were withdrawn over the Easter weekend.

Zac may be able to confirm ?

[Zac M]

That’s what I was told, NXN ferried into CBR direct to the hanger on Sunday, YQX operated a flight in from Sydney.

I was told that YQS would be retiring after Sunday by a flight attendant while I was onboard on Friday, however that appears to not be the case

[Greg Hyde]

That’s what I was told, NXN ferried into CBR direct to the hanger on Sunday, YQX operated a flight in from Sydney.

I was told that YQS would be retiring after Sunday by a flight attendant while I was onboard on Friday, however that appears to not be the case

Thanks Zac.

I expect that their trip/timing to VCV will depend on how many fuel bladders they have ?
ie: One bladder, ferry over, fly bladder back, fit to next & go again

[Zac M]

I’m not 100% sure but I assume it may be the case. Haven’t been able to get a rego but one is in the Qlink Hanger and the other was towed to the run up bay at the far end of the airport for parking.

[James Smith]

YQX operated QJE1501 SYD-CBR on Sunday evening 31/3/24 and hasn't flown since. YQS is still in service flying from SYD-HBA and CBR today and is about to operate CBR-SYD.

NXN ferried from CFS to MEL on 23/3/24 after having its scheduled flight cancelled the previous day. It then ferried to CBR on 31/3/24 and if it went straight into the hanger would be getting maintenance for the issue that cancelled the flight from CFS and in readiness for either its return to service or its ferry to VCV.

[Steve S... 2]

I flew on 3x 717's over Easter Sat & Sun - YQY, YQT & YQS - SYD/MEL/LST/SYD

So did a lot of research and tracking in the lead up.

717's have been operating ad hoc MEL/SYD/MEL flights (QFLink flight numbers).

They have been down to 9 of them for a while now. Only 2 are needed for SYD operations and 3 for MEL operations, the other 4 just sit around looking like they were retired when they weren't, they reappear and fly again but that looks to have changed now from what I am reading above.

An examination of the Qantas website shows some 717's flying up to the end of October 2024.

They are beautiful to fly on in every regard from seats, leg room, condition, less clutter (5 seats across) when boarding, sound etc. Very sad indeed.

* I did notice at MEL on Saturday that an aircraft enthusiast was taking pics of YQY when we got off at Gate 21 (don't know who he was) :)

[MarkR]

Hopefully YQW gets the ending she deserves as the last of a very long line of McDonnell Douglas passenger aircraft in the world.

[Lauren J]

* I did notice at MEL on Saturday that an aircraft enthusiast was taking pics of YQY when we got off at Gate 21 (don't know who he was) :)

I actually know who that was! Local Brisbane spotter :)

[Michael Mak]

VH-OQA A388 is currently undergoing test flight at AUH as QF6024, it would be its first flight since its VCV-AUH repositioning in November 18th, 2022.

https://www.flightradar24.com/QFA6024/34a12f0b

[James Smith]

Whacky do. I've waited a year or so for this news of OQA, expecting it much sooner than this, as a lot of us have. It is great to see Nancy-Bird back in the air. I wonder if she has been refurbished as well as having the long awaited maintenance.

[Stirling D]

OQA scheduled to depart back to SYD tonight as QF6014.

[James Smith]

Thanks Stirling for the information on OQA. Checking times, Flightaware is showing that QF6014 is scheduled to depart AUH at 21:10 AEDT and arrive in SYD at 10:31 AEDT.

[James Smith]

QANTAS A380 OQA has just departed AUH as QF6014 and according to Flightaware has an estimated arrival time in SYD of 13:29 AEDT Saturday afternoon.

Also, another QANTAS A380 is scheduled to depart SYD as QF6015 at 12:10 AEDT on Saturday for AUH. Not sure which one it is but OQD and OQH are both due to arrive on Saturday morning as QF2 & QF12. Whichever one it is OQA will be back in service to replace it on either QF1 or QF11 as there will be no other A380s in SYD, unless they ferry up OQJ which is due to arrive in MEL as QF94.

[James Smith]

According to Flightaware OQH is the QANTAS A380 scheduled to leave for AUH at 12:10pm today. I was thinking that OQD would be the one because OQH spent four and a half months in AUH having pre-service maintenance in 2022. OQD hasn't had a long period of maintenance since returning to service although it was in AUH being refurbished when COVID hit in 2020 and flew straight to LAX (not VCV) for storage. It also spent 5 weeks in SIN last year.

OQA's arrival time is now showing as 13:33 AEDT today.

[Ben W]

I don't pretend to know anything about aircraft positioning when they come back into service but I would like to know-

If they wanted to put OQH into maintenance at AUH, why not run it to LHR as QF1. Then run OQA from AUH to LHR to operate the return QF2? Then run OQH empty to AUH for maint?

Seems a massive waste of fuel to fly OQA empty to SYD and then run OQH empty back to AUH a couple of hours later.

OQA was obviously ready to go straight into service because it left for LAX the same day it arrived in SYD.

Just curious why it was done this way? Only thing I can think of is maybe slots at LHR?

[Kent Broadhead]

VH-OQA currently in LAX, having operated QF11 yesterday

[MarkR]

If she is operating the QF12 back she (OQA) has been reconfigured going by the seat map

[James Smith]

No Mark, the usual pattern on Thursdays and Saturdays in LAX is that the arriving QF11 turns around as the QF94. Therefore, OQA is returning to Oz as QF94 LAX-MEL-LAX and due to arrive in SYD next Wednesday as QF12, unless they keep her in the QF LAX maintenance facility for a few days for some minor tweaking to the new interior or something else. Yes, her interior was reconfigured while in AUH.

[MarkR]

No Mark, the usual pattern on Thursdays and Saturdays in LAX is that the arriving QF11 turns around as the QF94. Therefore, OQA is returning to Oz as QF94 LAX-MEL-LAX and due to arrive in SYD next Wednesday as QF12, unless they keep her in the QF LAX maintenance facility for a few days for some minor tweaking to the new interior or something else. Yes, her interior was reconfigured while in AUH.

Yes, she is operating the 94 and seat map confirms the reconfig

[Ben L]

717 update:
YQU registration cancelled 09/04/24
YQX departed Canberra 09/04/24 for Victorville

[Michael Mak]

VH-ZNF B789 has been in maintenance in HKG since March 24th is now on its way back as QF6010 HKG-SYD, ETA 0544 tomorrow.

[Greg Hyde]

717 update:
YQU registration cancelled 09/04/24
YQX departed Canberra 09/04/24 for Victorville

YQX has completed her ferry to VCV

[Stirling D]

VXD heading back from HKG, I believe VZX will head up next.

[Jim M]

ZNE appears to be operating QF209 today, MEL-PER-SiN-LHR.
A little unusual, anyone know anything about this flight?

[Brenden S]

Delayed flight perhaps via SIN for crew or LHR curfew?

[MarkR]

Delayed flight perhaps via SIN for crew or LHR curfew?

QF9 cancelled and replaced by this flight owing to routing requirements over the middle east

[Jim M]

Delayed flight perhaps via SIN for crew or LHR curfew?

From another site, apparently it has something to do with Intel about not flying through Middle Eastern airspace, specifically Iran/Iraq. Due to the re-routing, the PER-LHR sector cannot be done non-stop, hence why via SIN.
How long this is for I am not aware, but it's interesting that this appears to be internal only as I have seen nothing officially announced about QF9/10.
Will be interesting to see what happens.

[Dennis McLean]

It is currently just over the northern tip of Turkey have passed over the Black sea.

[Tristan S]

VXD heading back from HKG, I believe VZX will head up next.

100% correct, VZX has arrived in HKG

[Greg Hyde]

US President Joe Biden expects Iran to attack Israel 'sooner rather than later', but warns: 'Don't'

In short: Mr Biden said he would not divulge secure information, but said his expectation was that an attack from Iran to Israel could come "sooner, rather than later."

When asked about his message to Iran, Mr Biden simply said "Don't," and he underscored Washington's commitment to defend Israel.

What's next? White House spokesperson John Kirby said the US was looking at its own force posture in the region in light of Tehran's threat and was watching the situation very closely.

US President Joe Biden on Friday said he expected Iran to attack Israel "sooner, rather than later" and warned Tehran not to proceed.

Asked by reporters about his message to Iran, Mr Biden said simply, "Don't," and he underscored Washington's commitment to defend Israel.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-13/biden-expects-iran-to-attack-israel-soon-warns-against/103704292

[MarkR]

Qantas’ direct service from Perth to London’s Heathrow Airport has been diverted as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate and foreign carriers avoid Iranian airspace amid fears Tehran is planning an attack on Israel.
A Qantas spokesman confirmed flight QF9 from Perth to London would now fly via Singapore for refuelling due to the adjusted flight path. The return flight QF10, however, can carry enough fuel and is still flying direct from London to Perth.

https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/qantas-diverts-perth-london-flights-to-avoid-iran-airspace-20240413-p5fjjv

[MarkR]

OQJ did a rotation through Gatwick for the first time, on charter to what I suspect is the usual customer

[Tristan S]

EBN is due to re-enter service today after spending a couple of weeks in BNE reportedly being fitted with Viasat WiFi

[MarkR]

11 years after leaving the fleet, former VH-ZXC is still going strong for Eastern, although her age is showing!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5-KcUFuR6i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[Brenden S]

Mark, looks like a little Hydraulic leak from the rudder has taken the paint away. Skydrol does that to aircraft paint.

[James Smith]

From QANTAS Flight Status, A380 VH-OQH is scheduled to depart AUH at 16:10 local today and arrive is SYD at 6:10 Saturday morning.

Another A380 is scheduled to depart SYD at 11:10 on Saturday morning for AUH, presumably also for maintenance. Early contenders would be OQB, OQD, OQI & OQJ to be reduced by two depending on which A380's depart as QF1 & QF11 later today.

[Tristan S]

From QANTAS Flight Status, A380 VH-OQH is scheduled to depart AUH at 16:10 local today and arrive is SYD at 6:10 Saturday morning.

Another A380 is scheduled to depart SYD at 11:10 on Saturday morning for AUH, presumably also for maintenance. Early contenders would be OQB, OQD, OQI & OQJ to be reduced by two depending on which A380's depart as QF1 & QF11 later today.

OQB it is.
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-oqb

[James Smith]

QANTAS A380 VH-OQB is scheduled to depart SYD at 11:10 today for maintenance in AUH. It will be delayed a little as the inbound aircraft didn't arrive until 9:24 as QF12.

OQH arrived from AUH this morning and will operate either QF1 or QF11 later today.

[Dennis McLean]

So QF still has only 6 in service at the moment.

[James Smith]

Yes Dennis. When OQB arrives today there will be OQB, OQC (since 20/6/21), OQK (24/2/24) & OQL (13/3/24) in AUH. They are getting through the QANTAS A380 maintenance program now that Etihad's own A380s have been returned to service, freeing up that facility. OQK shouldn't be too much longer in AUH and OQL is being refurbished and should return to service in late May to mid June.

QANTAS only need six A380's for their current timetable - 3 for SYD-LHR-SYD, 2 for SYD-LAX-SYD and 1 for LAX-MEL-LAX but this has no replacement capability built in with only the six aircraft. The next build up in A380 capacity was to be SYD-JNB-SYD (4-6pw) and more MEL-LAX-MEL (6pw) in July but this has been put back to late September 2024. Hopefully, all the major maintenance work, refurbishment (OQC?) and any gear changes will be done by then and the ten A380s will all be operational. Not sure though if there are any further wing spar checks required in the next year or so.

[C Patters]

Is anyone aware of any repaints coming up soon?
I know that OQI is the last A380 to be done in the new livery, some of the latest A330-200's need painting & I'm guessing the latest 737's XZ rego series will be coming up soon as they are now 10+yrs

[Greg Hyde]

VH-NXN has departed Canberra for VCV as SXI2435

[Brenden S]

Is anyone aware of any repaints coming up soon?
I know that OQI is the last A380 to be done in the new livery, some of the latest A330-200's need painting & I'm guessing the latest 737's XZ rego series will be coming up soon as they are now 10+yrs

http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=11282&page=42

[Greg Hyde]

NXN has just landed at VCV completing her ferry to storage.

[MarkR]

Suspension of Sydney-Shanghai service from 28 July 2024
New route from Brisbane to Manila to take off from 28 October 2024
Additional flights to Singapore and India
Qantas is making a series of updates to its Asia network with schedule changes and launch of a new route.
Suspension of Sydney-Shanghai flights
From 28 July 2024, flights to Shanghai will be suspended due to low demand.
Qantas resumed its Sydney-Shanghai service in October last year after it was paused during COVID, however demand has not recovered as anticipated.
Qantas will continue to monitor the Australia-China market closely and will look to return to Shanghai when demand has recovered.
Customers can continue to travel to Shanghai and other destinations in China on Qantas flights to Hong Kong with onward connections on partner airlines. Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn and redeem Qantas Points when travelling with partner airlines.
Customers booked to travel on Shanghai flights from 28 July will be contacted and offered a full refund, or they can contact Qantas or their travel agent to discuss rebooking on alternative flights.
Aircraft used on this route will be redirected to boost flying to other destinations across Asia where there is increasing demand or new tourism opportunities.
New route from Brisbane to Manila
Customers will have access to a new international route out of Brisbane with the flying kangaroo set to begin flights to Manila.* From 28 October 2024, the route will operate four days per week with Airbus A330 aircraft, marking the first time the airline has flown between the two cities in more than 10 years.
The flights add to Qantas’ existing daily service from Sydney and will add more than 100,000 seats between Australia and the Philippines each year.
Additional flying to Singapore and India
Qantas will increase flying to Singapore by around 10 per cent, offering more than 2,500 additional seats per week between Australia and the Lion City.
Sydney to Singapore will increase from 14 to 17 return flights per week from 11 December 2024.*
Brisbane to Singapore will increase from seven to nine return flights per week from 27 October 2024, timed to improve connectivity with Qantas’ daily service from Singapore to London, reducing overall travel time to Heathrow by around four hours.*
Flights from Sydney to Bengaluru will also increase from five per week to daily to cater for strong demand over the peak holiday season.* The extra flights will operate between mid-December 2024 and late March 2025, adding over 12,000 seats between the two cities over the four-month period.
Tickets for the additional flights are available for sale at qantas.com and through travel agents. The new Brisbane-Manila flights will be available to book in the coming days.


https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-asia-network-update/

[Ryan K]

Yet Qantas is still sending clapped out A330-200s, without proper seat back entertainment, to Singapore from Australia. Compared to their competitors, this hard product is chalk and cheese. How Qantas ever got itself into this situation is laughable.

[Greg Hyde]

QF are replacing Dash8's with E190's on some East Coast services.

[Zac M]

Which services Greg?

[Greg Hyde]

Zac,

Noticed several airports announcing the start E190 replacing Dash8 services.

Newcastle (to BNE I think),

https://www.facebook.com/ntlairport/posts/pfbid0mTv9GikpPKDKvCXYhatsHMd6RJ49VgxLDdme5M4QYyc1 38S5zmEjbKXgq58GQdCyl
also Central Queensland (Emerald)

[Rowan McKeever]

Zac,

Noticed several airports announcing the start E190 replacing Dash8 services.

Newcastle (to BNE I think),

https://www.facebook.com/ntlairport/posts/pfbid0mTv9GikpPKDKvCXYhatsHMd6RJ49VgxLDdme5M4QYyc1 38S5zmEjbKXgq58GQdCyl
also Central Queensland (Emerald)

Most of these changes came into effect in late March or early April - the only one that started a bit later was EMD which started this week.

NTL-BNE and NTL-MEL have both changed to E190s, although MEL was previously a B717 not a Dash.

BNE-ABX is now an E190, and the E190s have taken over more of the flying from BNE to places like GLT and ROK.

What will be interesting to watch is the end of B717 services at SYD. For instance, the SYD-LST service is already in the system as an E190 (replacing the current B717) from October, but there are no other SYD-based E190 services showing as yet apart from the TSV-SYD which obviously is a TSV-based service. Will E190s start to show up on SYD to places like CBR (looks more like B737 but who knows), regional NSW and WTB?

[Greg Hyde]

Rowan,

https://www.facebook.com/ntlairport/posts/pfbid0mTv9GikpPKDKvCXYhatsHMd6RJ49VgxLDdme5M4QYyc1 38S5zmEjbKXgq58GQdCyl

seems to indicate that E190's are replacing Dash-8's

[Rowan McKeever]

From BNE that's correct, from MEL it was 12x weekly B717 until about a year ago, then a 50/50 split of B717 and E190, and from late March is now all E190.

[Robert.M]

QF are replacing Dash8's with E190's on some East Coast services.

GFF and WGA will be two that won’t see the E190. Due to not having the required infrastructure and passenger numbers.

[Rowan McKeever]

GFF and WGA will be two that won’t see the E190. Due to not having the required infrastructure and passenger numbers.

GFF has only just gone to the Q400 so I wouldn't think the E190 from SYD would be on the cards for quite some time. I had the same sense as you about WGA, at least from the pax numbers side, and I doubt ABX would get an E190 from SYD either given several of those services have been dropped back to the Q300.

My assumption is that, out of SYD, the likely E190 candidates are probably CFS, BNK (not every service) and maybe WTB, plus some CBR. I wonder if they might, sans Bonza, do a W-pattern SYD-WTB-MEL and return...

[MarkR]

WTB didn’t work for AirNorth and the 170, let alone a 190!

[Tristan S]

The last 767 leaves the QF (Group) fleet today with the retirement of EFR.

https://fb.watch/s6z0QRk-KO/

[MarkR]

The last 767 leaves the QF (Group) fleet today with the retirement of EFR.

https://fb.watch/s6z0QRk-KO/

Operating back from HKG this morning!

[Tristan S]

Operating back from HKG this morning!

Yep, Syd Squad captured its last arrival along with a water cannon salute.

[Stirling D]

EBB arrived into MNL early this morning as QF6035. Possibly for MX?

[Tristan S]

EBB arrived into MNL early this morning as QF6035. Possibly for MX?

You would think so, EBL arrived back from MNL into SYD last night, after spending a couple of weeks there.

[Rowan McKeever]

Qantas has applied to the IASC for an allocation of capacity on the Vanuatu route in order to launch services to Port Vila from August 2024 at 5x weekly using a combination of B737 and E190. A Jetstar service is also planned from October 2024 at 4x weekly with A321neo. The application doesn't mention which Australian port(s) these services will operate at.

https://www.iasc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/20240521-qf-letter-to-the-iasc-vanuatu.pdf

[Greg Hyde]

NXL was deleted from the VH-Reg on 24/05/2024

[Lauren J]

EFR is up for sale https://www.myairtrade.com/available/B767, interesting along with A320 VQG they are the only 2

VQG has been flying PER-DPS-PER sectors for the past week straight. Out of interest, why would they sell this one rather than send it to Network like the other Classics?

[Greg Hyde]

VQG has been flying PER-DPS-PER sectors for the past week straight. Out of interest, why would they sell this one rather than send it to Network like the other Classics?

Network/Qlink don't need anymore A320's, that why they are picking up the A319's. Brand commonality from a maintenance perspective and a smaller a/c (F70vsF100) for less pax. Hopefully better bangs for you buck.

Also, they need shorter field landing capabilities for some of the mining sites.

[Brenden S]

They fly a JQ A320 PER-DPS-PER for a week or so before swapping it out.

[James Smith]

There is an A380 scheduled on the QANTAS Flight Status page operating QF6014 AUH-SYD on Wednesday 5/6/24 arriving in SYD at 8:00 Thursday.

Which aircraft will it be? My guess is OQL which will have been in AUH just short of three months, which has been the usual refurbishment timeframe, although OQK has been longer in AUH at just short of three and half months. OQB has only been in AUH just over a month so it wont be it and OQC will probably be the last to leave AUH, hopefully this year.

[Brodie L]

The 737 fleet is currently facing a fair whack of corrosion issues from what I've heard on the grapevine

[C Patters]

That doesn't sound great Brodie! Possible lack of maintenance?? Any particular rego banks that are effected to your knowledge?

[Robert.M]

Wonder if it was the aircraft stored at YSSY during the pandemic.

[Dennis McLean]

Hi James, perhaps it will OQK as L also required a cabin refit??

[Brodie L]

That doesn't sound great Brodie! Possible lack of maintenance?? Any particular rego banks that are effected to your knowledge?

From what I've seen most of the VX and some early VZ.

[C Patters]

Thanks Brodie! Good thing I guess is that the VX series will be the first 737's to go once the XLR's begin to arrive from early 2025!

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas confirms certification of extra fuel tank for ‘Project Sunrise’ A350-1000

Certification has been achieved for the third centre fuel tank in the Airbus A350-1000s that will operate Qantas’s ultra-long-range ‘Project Sunrise’ flights.
Speaking during a roundtable discussion at the IATA AGM meeting in Dubai on 4 June,

Qantas International chief executive Cam Wallace confirmed the development, which relates to the part of the twinjet that is unique to the carrier’s requirements.


The aircraft will feature a premium-dense cabin
“The certification of the third centre fuel tank has happened, so that’s now been concluded,” he states.

Airbus said in February that a six-month delay in the delivery of the aircraft was related to a regulator request for a redesign of the extra tank.
Qantas expects deliveries of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97-powered aircraft to begin in the third quarter of 2026.

Wallace confirms that Sydney-London and Sydney-New York are under consideration as the launch services for what will be a premium-dense product offering.
He further notes that the carrier has plenty of experience in 15-hour-plus flights with its existing services from Perth.

“We want to be famous for being the ultra-long-haul non-stop leader and we’re very confident about the proposition,” he states.

https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/qantas-confirms-certification-of-extra-fuel-tank-for-project-sunrise-a350-1000/158617.article

[James Smith]

QANTAS A380 VH-OQB has just departed AUH for SYD after maintenance as QF6014 and is scheduled to arrive at approximately 7:18 tomorrow, Thursday morning.

Another A380 is scheduled to depart SYD for AUH tomorrow at 11:10 as QF6015, which will be either OQD or OQI, with OQB to operate QF1 or QF11 tomorrow as the replacement.

[Stirling D]

QANTAS A380 VH-OQB has just departed AUH for SYD after maintenance as QF6014 and is scheduled to arrive at approximately 7:18 tomorrow, Thursday morning.

Another A380 is scheduled to depart SYD for AUH tomorrow at 11:10 as QF6015, which will be either OQD or OQI, with OQB to operate QF1 or QF11 tomorrow as the replacement.

OQD

[James Smith]

Thanks for the confirmation, Stirling. My bet was OQD as she was in AUH in March, 2020 when COVID hit airlines. She ferried to LAX in July, 2020 for storage but didn't transfer to VCV. Maybe as she had just received her refurbishment and maintenance she was given extra protection by being placed in the QANTAS LAX hanger out of the desert sun. She ferried to SYD in January, 2022 and after six weeks in maintenance returned to service. The only maintenance she has received since is five weeks in SIN in mid 2023.

[Greg Hyde]

VH-YQX was deleted from the VH-Reg on 05/06/24

[MarkR]

ZNH is getting ready for Paris

https://x.com/Qantas/status/1801185239605113086

[C Patters]

Any word on why EBN isn’t flying? She only came back from maintenance a month or so ago

[Stirling D]

Any word on why EBN isn’t flying? She only came back from maintenance a month or so ago

EBN is still in MNL for what I can assume is maintenance.

[Stirling D]

EBV is just about to land in SYD as QF6010 ex HKG. Almost a 2 month holiday.

[Stirling D]

EBN due back into SYD @ 1800 as QF6036 ex MNL.

[Michael Mak]

EBN has been repainted in the oneworld livery: https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11368173

[James Smith]

Is EBV still in the One World livery after its two months in HKG?

[C Patters]

Why would they have re-painted EBN given it was already in the new livery?? EBQ, EBR, EBS & EBV are all still in the old livery surely they would have been higher priorities for a repaint

[James Smith]

They may not have repainted the whole aircraft, just the QANTAS and One World titles on EBN. They used to have two One World titled aircraft up to when B744 OEF was retired in 2020. They are now back to that number. The other thought is that as EBV is not in the new livery it will shortly be repainted into the full QF livery.

[Stirling D]

Why would they have re-painted EBN given it was already in the new livery?? EBQ, EBR, EBS & EBV are all still in the old livery surely they would have been higher priorities for a repaint

It is just a decal. There’s parts of the original livery sticking out from underneath…

[C Patters]

Thanks guys for clarifying! Seemed odd given there are other aircraft that need repainting given they have the old livery still

[Brenden S]

I can confirm that it is a decal from photos posted on social media today.

[Greg Hyde]

NXG was deleted from the VH-Reg on 02/07/2024