Sydney Airport Message Board - QANTAS Fleet and Operations

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter C (Post 115181)

...

Begs the question as to what has happened to VH-ZNG which arrived in Perth with QF10 more or less on time on Wednesday morning.

Answering my own question, with VH-ZNG enroute to Melbourne as QF6006 (at normal altitude), seems to have been a crew time expired issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Smith (Post 115185)

Brad, it is an ongoing issue with the resumption of QANTAS A380 services being put back. QF11/12 was due to increase A380 frequencies from 3 to 6 pw from August, which has been put back to December, 2022. QF93/94 was due to be operated by A380s 3 pw from 2/12/22 and 6 pw from 25/3/23 which has now been shelved.

QANTAS has four A380s currently operating (OQB, OQD, OQH, OQK) - three for QF1/2 daily and one for QF11/12 two or three times per week. OQJ would have increased this to five to operate the increased A380 QF11/12 flights but after resuming flying in June has been in maintenance in SYD since 31/8/22. OQG has been in maintenance in AUH since 30/7/22 and it was presumed that when these two A380s resumed flying the increased A380 services from December would be achieved with the six aircraft. The next A380, possibly OQA, would have had maintenance and refurbishment in time to operate the increased QF93/94 services from late March, 2023.

But this schedule has now been put back for reasons unknown. Is the maintenance work required on the A380s taking longer than planned? Is there a tech crew shortage to fly them? Do forward bookings not justify the increase in seats deployed? This last question does not seem to be true with other airlines on North American services increasing flights - United, Delta and Air Canada, with American returning at the end on this month. Or some other reason or reasons.

It would be very interesting to hear from someone in the know as to what is delaying the return of previously planned A380 services.

I'd be interested as well James. I booked to fly to MEL in December and the only reason I booked with QF was because both flights were A380's. Both have now been changed to 787 unfortunately. Seems there is more $ to be made with less capacity on the 787's so they're in no hurry to bring more A380's back.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben W (Post 115192)

Seems there is more $ to be made with less capacity on the 787's so they're in no hurry to bring more A380's back.....

As posted earlier they cannot bring any back without undergoing urgent wing spar work which takes 50 days

Quote:

The A380s are required to undergo checks on their wing spars per an EASA airworthiness directive, which is what's happening to OQJ now. Others that are in service currently (not sure whether all four, but I would assume so given timings) will require this same check in turn after OQJ.

https://services.casa.gov.au/airwort...022-0174R1.pdf

Ben, I too was concerned that the return of the QANTAS A380s was being put back seemingly without reason, but seeing it is due to a CASA directive it has to be done. This urgent work has put the A380 return schedule back even further and is out of QANTAS' control. 50 days is nearly two months and will take upwards of one year and eight months to complete on the ten aircraft. Hopefully, the inspections and work can be performed at other locations to speed up its completion, hence my question about it being done in AUH and LAX.

Are you able to change your flight in December to fly on an A380 from LAX to SYD or vice versa and catch a domestic flight to MEL? There are A380 flights on this route on certain days of the week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowan McKeever (Post 115186)

The issue initially only affected the first six aircraft and has been in place since 2019, with Qantas having done at least two aircraft back then.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michael...h=64ff96b25c27

Thanks for that further information and link to the Forbes article, Mark,

Thanks for the reply's James and Mark. Interesting stuff. Good to see OQJ back in service as QF11 this morning. James, I will look into a change through SYD- thanks for the suggestion.

A380 OQK arrived in SYD as QF2 on 21/10/22 and has not flown since. I presume that she has entered maintenance to have her wing spar checks done, replacing OQJ, which returned to service on 23/10/22 as QF11.

Hi all,

VH-ZNM (MSN 66077) was ferried from VCV to BFI on 31oct22 as BOE281:
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...900Z/KVCV/KBFI

P. S.- A picture arriving at BFI is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thegre...s/52469135948/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer F (Post 115256)

VH-ZNM moved on to Everett Thursday morning PDT - arrival picture

Reported on Twitter that A332 VH-EBF has performed its last passenger flight and will soon head to Germany to be converted to a freighter.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CksoZ-0y..._web_copy_link

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan S (Post 115288)

Reported on Twitter that A332 VH-EBF has performed its last passenger flight and will soon head to Germany to be converted to a freighter.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CksoZ-0y..._web_copy_link

VH-EBF is due to depart PER shortly for DRS via SIN to start its P2F conversion. It is expected to take around six months.

Any word on when QPG, EBB & EBD will return to service given EBF is now leaving passenger services?

Quote:

Reported on Twitter that A332 VH-EBF has performed its last passenger flight and will soon head to Germany to be converted to a freighter.

The last passenger flight operated by VH-EBF was PER-SYD on Monday as QF654, the red-eye arriving at just after 6:00am on Tuesday. It then departed SYD-MEL, MEL-ADL and ADL-PER as QF7531 arriving early afternoon in WA.

An unusual way to get to PER and only just over 30 minutes on the ground at both MEL and ADL. Picking up crew for the onward flights from PER to SIN and DRS maybe?

It is now en-route to SIN still operating as QF7531.

Now en-route from SIN to???, appears to be past India on Flight Aware, over 5 hours.

Flight radar 24 shows direct to Dresden

Yes, Dresden is where it will be F'd ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Smith (Post 115293)

Onward crew requirements are minimal given the overnight in SIN, probably took the opportunity to do training given the dead sectors, makes sense.

OQA was moved over to TBIT at LAX this afternoon (Thursday afternoon in LA).

OQL lit up at Victorville earlier today as well which might mean she will be next to leave the desert?

That would leave only OQI in storage I believe?

Thanks for the information, Ben. OQA could be flying to AUH for refurbishment with OQL to replace her at the LAX QANTAS maintenance facility. We shall watch with interest.

OQA is flying to LHR as QF6023 and is due to depart LAX at this time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Smith (Post 115346)

OQA is flying to LHR as QF6023 and is due to depart LAX at this time.

Odd that it's heading to LHR? It wouldn't be going straight into service as QF2 would it? Don't believe it has been refurbished yet?

OQA is still to be refurbished, along with OQC and OQL according to my records and confirmed by the A380 seat maps information on their website. This usually takes at least 2 months and OQA has only been in LAX for a little less than 2 months. So, I doubt that OQA has been refurbished in LAX, as no other QF A380s have and I think that it would be far cheaper to take the aircraft to the new interior to be installed than taking the new interior to the aircraft. Australian Aviation has been saying on many occasions and as recently as their latest issue that OQA is being refurbished in LAX, but I have always doubted this as only DRS and AUH have been used up to now. The time in LAX looks more to be the time taken (50 days) for the wing spar inspections.

The question of why OQA is going to LHR. I doubt it is to operate QF2 back to SYD as there is currently an A380, OQD heading for LHR as QF1, unless they swap over in LHR and OQD goes to DRS or AUH for maintenance, wing spar inspections perhaps. But, QANTAS hasn't operated un-refurbished A380s on passenger flights for some time now. The LHR diversion could be for some other reason, crew related perhaps and OQA will just continue to either DRS or AUH for refurbishment. We shall see.

OQA will be continuing to AUH

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Zac. That clears that up. Do you know what work was carried out on OQA in LAX?

VH-OQL fired up on FlightRadar24 at 11:07 on 17th at VCV for a 0 minute flight as QF16 ?!!

Yes Peter, with the blip we are thinking that OQL will replace OQA at the QANTAS maintenance facility at LAX in the next few days.

I presume OQG will be returning to service soon after being in AUH for maintenance?

One would hope so, but OQG may return to SYD and replace OQK having its wing spar inspections done, if they have not been done while in AUH. OQK should have these inspections completed by around 10/12/22.

Pillaged from another forum.

VH-OQA: wing spar check complete; correction from earlier, I believe it has not had refurbishment yet, but is transiting through LHR to DRS or AUH for refurbishment.
VH-OQB: in service; wing spar check not yet completed
VH-OQC: wing spar check not completed; in AUH for refurbishment at present
VH-OQD: in service; wing spar check not yet completed
VH-OQE: storage in VCV
VH-OQF: scrapped at VCV
VH-OQG: wing spar check not completed; in AUH for refurbishment at present
VH-OQH: in service; wing spar check not yet completed
VH-OQI: storage in VCV
VH-OQJ: in service; wing spar check completed Sept/Oct.
VH-OQK: currently in maintenance receiving wing spar check in SYD.
VH-OQL: will position from VCV to LAX in coming days for maintenance (including wing spar)

Gold Tristan. Thanks so much for sharing. What was the forum where you pillaged this information?

It shows that, contrary to earlier information that OQJ was the first QANTAS A380 to have the wing spar inspections done, followed by OQA in LAX and OQK at this time. Also, it shows that the inspections can be performed in different locations which will speed up their completion.

OQA transited LHR with a three hour stop and has now arrived in AUH. Maybe the crew that brought OQA to AUH will bring OQG back to SYD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Smith (Post 115357)

From here: https://www.airliners.net/forum/view...?f=3&t=1478107

Page 4 :)

Does anyone know why B789 VH-ZNG has been sitting in the Qantas Los Angeles Maintenance facility since arriving at LAX with Monday 14th's QF93 ?
Fortunately with the B789 program set up to allow ZNI, ZNJ & ZNK to have their 3yr Heavy Maintenance on time (Oct, Nov & Dec respectively), it has covered this absence of ZNG, but delayed ZNJ's trip to Singapore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter C (Post 115367)

This absence has stretched to 10 days, with other Qantas B789 problems or crew issues in Melbourne leading to the cancellation of today's QF93 MEL-LAX.

Cancellation of Monday's (PST) QF12 LAX-SYD may either be due to absence of VH-ZNG or further crew issues.

Any updates on service returns of QPG, EBB & EBD still in Brisbane Maintenance?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter C (Post 115399)

It appears that ZNG is still at LAX. Does anyone have any further info? Also QF9 ex Perth to LHR last night (30/11) was supposed to be operated by ZNJ, but ended up being delayed until after lunch today and was eventually operated by ZNB. It appears that there may be an issue with ZNJ now which is still in PER. The 787 fleet is a bit stretched at present.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim M (Post 115435)

It appears that ZNG is still at LAX. Does anyone have any further info?

A post on another forum indicates ZNG is out until the 12th - no explanation as to why.

It’s mentioned elsewhere (probably not far from the post Peter mentioned [emoji6]) that ZNG was damaged during planned maintenance at LAX.

Unclear to me whether the two things are related and obviously being forums there’s the usual ‘grain of salt’ as well, but the same ‘other forum’ mentioned a rudder change.

Qantas industry update

Quote:

With a large amount of activity in the lead up to the peak summer holiday travel period, here is a summary of key service improvements across Qantas and Jetstar rolling out over the next two months.
In that time, the Group expects to carry more than 8 million people, with particularly strong leisure demand.
While capacity growth is temporarily limited by the need for additional operational buffer (including a $200 million investment in standby resources), more aircraft are entering service in the weeks ahead and several new international routes will start before Christmas.
Qantas’ operational performance has continued to be industry leading, ranking as the most on-time domestic airline in October and continuing to outperform our major competitor in November despite extreme weather (storms and strong winds). Jetstar’s domestic and international operational performance has also improved.
Both Qantas and Jetstar have ongoing sale activity, with discounted fares and more frequent flyer seat availability.
Below is a summary of upcoming developments across Qantas and Jetstar’s domestic and international operations.
QANTAS INTERNATIONAL
Qantas will start three new routes in December:
Flights resumed between Brisbane and Tokyo on 1 December, shifting from Narita Airport to the more centrally located Haneda Airport, with three return flights per week using its Airbus A330s.
Flights take off for the first time between Melbourne and Dallas Fort Worth on 3 December, with three return flights per week using its Boeing 787s. The new route adds to Qantas’ existing Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth route and offers connections to over 200 cities across North and South America with partner American Airlines.
The inaugural Sydney-Seoul flight takes off on 10 December, with four return flights per week using its The new route adds to Jetstar’s new Sydney-Seoul services, which started in November.
Qantas will welcome its sixth (out of 10) refurbished A380 back from storage, which will return to service from mid-December, providing more operational resilience over the busy Christmas holidays.
Additional flights are being added across the Tasman, with Sydney-Queenstown increasing from 10 return flights per week to 14 per week from mid-December.
An additional three return flights per week have been added between Sydney and Fiji for six weeks from mid-December.
Larger A330s will replace 737s on flights between Sydney and Bali from 5 December until 26 January 2023.
JETSTAR INTERNATIONAL
Three new Jetstar A321neo LR aircraft will start flying across December this year and January next year, in addition to the first A321neo LR that joined the fleet in August. These aircraft will initially operate on domestic routes and between Australia and Bali.
Jetstar has announced it will start direct flights between Sydney and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for the first time. The first flight will take off on 29 June 2023, subject to government and regulatory approvals, with two return flights per week.
DOMESTIC
Qantas will resume seasonal flights in December to:
Adelaide-Hobart
Adelaide-Gold Coast
Canberra-Sunshine Coast
Canberra-Cairns
Brisbane-Launceston
Melbourne-Merimbula.
Given the strong demand for flights from Sydney to Cairns over the summer peak, Qantas will use its larger Airbus A330 aircraft on up to 19 return flights per week on the route in December and January, up from 11 per week using a 737 currently – a total increase of more than 11,000 seats over the period.
Domestically, Group capacity is at 95 per cent of pre-COVID levels for the second quarter.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Qantas will open its refurbished lounge in Honolulu on 16 December, as well as operate an additional two return flights per between Sydney-Honolulu for six weeks over summer.
Qantas and Jetstar will roll out a number of customer initiatives at airports over the Christmas holidays, with a focus on making journeys easier. More details will be released shortly.
Qantas Frequent Flyers have snapped up seats on almost 3000 Points Planes. Six weeks of flights across 21 domestic routes were turned into Points Planes in January and February, where every seat, including Business, could be booked as a Classic Flight Reward.
Qantas is today launching a domestic sale with up to a 30 per cent discount on fares across 100 domestic routes including $109 Melbourne-Launceston, $149 Adelaide-Hobart, $199 Cairns-Sydney and $269 Brisbane-Darwin. Selected travel dates are in June, July, August and September.
Jetstar’s recent Black Friday sale featured 50,000 seats across 30 domestic and trans-Tasman destinations, with fares starting from $39 (one way). The most popular destinations were Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Cairns and Queenstown.
Additional sale activity is planned in December for travel next year.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/me...ts-for-summer/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowan McKeever (Post 115440)

I read on another forum about QPG, the A333 waiting for a rudder in BNE. Nothing about ZNG.