Question re QF A380's parking at YSSY

[Dave Powell]

Hi

I have noticed over the past week or so that a Qantas A380 nearly always is parked in one of the bays near the freight terminal until mid afternoon - on Tuesday it was sandwiched between the Cathay "Silver Bullet" and an Atlas Air 747 - why do they get parked there - is it due to lack of space elsewhere or is it the preparation bay for a particular flight (the aircraft seems to have moved each day by about 2.30pm)

Sorry if it's a dumb question but I'd just like to know why!

Thanks

Dave

[Laurent Sanhard]

probably parking spot for QF31 , as its not far from the QF31 departure gate , if its moves around 2.30pm then this is normally when QF31 is moved to it gate,. this gate is probaly used by QF11 -QF12 in the mornings

[Dave Powell]

Thanks Laurent - that looks like it may be the answer- do any of our QF experts have a view on this?

cheers

Dave

[Rowan McKeever]

Dave, I looked at the A380 schedule a couple of hours ago and I'd agree with Laurent, seems the most likely thing to me. QF32 arrives in the evening, QF12 in the early morning. QF11 leaves in the early arvo and QF31 mid-arvo.

Cheers
Rowan

[Philip Argy]

Keep an eye on it on Saturday - I'm off to GVA via SIN and LHR on QF31.

[Nigel C]

I'll ask the apron coordinator on Saturday when back on shift as long as I remember this thread by then.....

[Dave Powell]

Thanks for all the replies guys - if you do remember tomoroow Nigel it would be appreciated as I'm sure we'd get a definitive answer.

cheers

Dave

[Nigel C]

Ok, just got off the phone to the coordinator...

It's often a case of Qantas not having room in the Jet Base so they request it be left at a spare bay. Sometimes a spare bay is available, other days it's not and Qantas have to make room in the Jet Base.

It typically doesn't operate any particular flight after laying over for the day, so could be used for the QF11, or 31 flight etc. Today the aircraft parked on Bay 24 (arrived as QF12 VH-OQD) will tow to Bay 5 soon and be used on the QF31 tonight (1710 departure off Bay 9).

Hope this helps clear it up.

[Philip Argy]

Thanks, Nige. I'll see if Fergus McMaster takes me to London this afternoon.

In case anyone else is on QF31 today, look me up in seat 22A!

[Dave Powell]

Thanks Nigel - all is explained.

much appreciated

Dave