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View Full Version : Melbourne A380 Swaps

Anthony F
3rd August 2011, 02:48 PM
Every Tuesday Melbourne will loose one A380 from service which flys to Sydney and on Thursday there is an A380 that returns back to Melbourne. I know Qantas are missing one A380 due to VH-OQA out of service but wouldn’t they be able to run that aircraft on the Tuesday service to LAX to have it return back to Melbourne on the Thursday?

Tuesday VH-OQC (QF6018) departed Melbourne while VH-OEB (QF6017) came from Sydney to run the QF93 MEL LAX service.

Does Sydney require the A380 for their service. I see VH-OQC went to LAX from SYD. All flights QF11/12 and QF31/32 are already covered by A380 services. Is there an A380 that sits in Sydney for a couple of days?

Also, VH-OEB is not an ER aircraft so how does it fly from MEL to LAX? Is it as a reduced payload? VH-OEB does not come to Melbourne that often.

There were a few other VH-OJ# aircraft that did the QF93/94 return to Melbourne in June/July.
Ian Gains
3rd August 2011, 05:37 PM
Anthony, this could be due to some of the earlier A380's getting their C checks done soon - see the separate article on -OQD leaving to get her's done.
Anthony F
4th August 2011, 10:48 AM
Ian, the swaps have been happening since February or March this year when Qantas started to run the A380 back to LA from Melbourne. The C check of -OQD will mean Melbourne will loose more A380 services. -OQC came back to Melbourne today and will go out as QF 9 today.
Jason H
4th August 2011, 04:09 PM
Actually, the Melbourne A380 services during OQD's maintenance will be more or less unaffected. It will be QF31/32 that will be substituting for 744s on a few days from Saturday.
Philip Argy
29th August 2011, 01:26 PM
I noticed OQC's outboard starboard engine attracting considerable attention on the apron at MEL this morning - anything we should know about?
Neil Hogbin
30th August 2011, 03:04 AM
Cannot have been serious as OQC is on the way to Heathrow as QF9
Philip Argy
30th August 2011, 07:59 AM
Covers were open and there were at least six engineers on and around two ladders, so it looked like something more than a casual check. Glad to hear all is well.
Jason H
30th August 2011, 10:24 AM
That would have been the same engine which was shut down in flight in Feb due to low oil readings. Maybe similar problems?