New Deliveries / First Flights etc December 2011

[Peter S.]

Originally Posted by Rob C

Hi Steve,

The YI series aircraft are configured for international ops. Basically what this means is that they have life rafts and signalling equipment, amongst other safety equipment, on board which the YV and YF series don't have.

All the VH Pac Blue aircraft have these along with VUY, VUZ and VUE.

Regards,
-Rob-

Checking through the movements for January, the regional flights are operated by the YIx series, plus VUG, VUY & VUZ.

[CORRECTED]: VOQ, VOX, VUM, VUN were liveried as Pacific Blue aircraft, so they carried the "over water" equipment. VUE & VOK were Virgin Blue livery and are now Virgin Australia livery.

In January, VOX, VUE, VUM, VUN have operated only domestic flights. [VOK & VOQ are not showing any flights for January yet].

With the plan for 6 YIx series aircraft, plus VUG, VUY & VUZ, is that sufficient to cover "over water" needs?

Thus suggesting that VOK, VOQ, VOX, VUE, VUM, VUN revert to domestic only operations and speculating that liferafts and some equipment may have been removed during Christchurch maintenance visits as now deemed unnecessary.

Can anyone confirm or refute this concept?