Virgin Australia callsign change

[JamesW]

From next Monday 28th October Virgin Australia will be changing their callsign to Velocity.

The Virgin Australia Group of Airlines currently use four separate Callsigns:

Virgin Australia International - VAU (Vee‐Oz)
Virgin Australia New Zealand - PBN (BlueBird)
Virgin Australia Holdings - VBH (Bluey)
Virgin Australia - VOZ (Virgin)




All Virgin Australia Group aircraft will operate under one signal radio telephony and ICAO designator;

Radio Telephony Designator: VELOCITY (+ suffix numbers)
Three Letter Designator: VOZ (+ suffix numbers)

[Maikha Ly]

Just for curiosity, what's the reasoning behind this change?

[Paul f.]

Because Virgin Australia cant use the callsign "VIRGIN" on international flights so its easy just have one callsign.

[JamesL]

It's another part of the game changer program to unify the airlines.

[Michael Mak]

Does that mean 'VAU/'Vee-Oz' and 'PBN/Bluebird' will be kept in the meantime?

[Jason H]

Hmmm so what if the flight departs and is flying during the change. Change of callsign enroute perhaps? :D

[Adam P.]

Does that mean 'VAU/'Vee-Oz' and 'PBN/Bluebird' will be kept in the meantime?

Nope - everything's changing to Velocity. Two extra syllables, faaaaantastic...

[Rowan McKeever]

Hmmm so what if the flight departs and is flying during the change. Change of callsign enroute perhaps? :D

I'd guess that's the reference to flight crews must use the callsign matching the designator on their flight plan (further up the thread), as there's not really a time of the day when DJ doesn't have something in the air.

Personally I'd like to see them change 'DJ' too... not like it obviously means something...???

[Arthur T]

I think when you're changing the IATA code there'll be potential issues as customers may be surprised their flight number is gone.

One thing I'd suggest for plai change is try selling tickets with VA code only, then when no tickets with DJ with it then phase out the code.

[JamesL]

IATA code will change when they change to Sabre reservation systems.

[Rob R]

If airborne at the time of the change over crew will use the current callsign ie virgin/bluey.

[Nigel C]

Nope - everything's changing to Velocity. Two extra syllables, faaaaantastic...

Struggle with 4 syllable words, do you?

I heard an ATC'er in Sydney make the same complaint last week. Perhaps AsA need to change their training program to suit ;)
:)

[Stephen Brown]

Nige, it will just make those tower jockeys false teeth rattle even more. Comes from chewing all that dropped steak.

[Adam P.]

It has begun!
Overheard on Sunday:
Their new callsign should officially be 'Virgin Correction Velocity' - cos that's what I've been calling them all day! :)
There's been a lot of "Vir...ahh... Velocity123" and even a "Virrrrrrrrrlocity" or two as well over the last couple of days, from both sides of the mic. Taking a bit of getting used to!

[JamesP]

Saw this and thought I'd like to share:

Hitler reacts to Velocity via Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pERYFyU42aI)

[Joe Frampton]

Yes along with all this you will find the whole airline changing to VA in Feb or Mar next year (can't remember the date the Rep told me) No more DJ. Loads of IT people working on this right now and changeover will occur over a weekend, that is sure to be a fun period for everyone involved!

[Raymond Rowe]

Was also told that the old PB block of regos will be disapearing.They will be getting some new rego block as the management want all signs of PB gone.

[JamesL]

The change to VA will be when they change to Sabre.

[Rowan McKeever]

After the weekend they just had James, I'm guessing that change can't come soon enough!!

[JamesL]

Well they have been pushing it back for months... Guess that will be a pressing point to hurry up...

[Rob R]

There is lots of testing going on before they can switch over and January was chosen has it has the least amount of business traffic.

Every operational section of the airline is affected by the change, it's not a simple switch off the old and switch on the new.