Virgin(Skywest) first ATR'S to be BNE based
 

I am going to start a new thread although this topic has started to be covered in the rebranding post, as i believe it deserves it's own post.

Pprune have stated a few weeks back that BNE will be the first base for the first 4 aircraft ?

Today in the Australian Skywest are advertising for Cabin crew BNE based.

ATR experience highly desirable but not essential.
Training and checking positions available.

It does seem from this that SYD-CBR may go to E-190'S ?

Not necessarily, Lloyd. The E-jets overnight in CB out of all 3 bases (BN, SY, ML) and rotate crew through accordingly. Therefore, I see no reason why the ATR's couldn't service CB-SY ex BN.:)

They could rotate them Luke Qantas do with the Q400s, with a Bne-CBR flight every few days.

Hugh i think aircraft 5-8 will be SYD based and therefore do CBR flights.

There is a story in the AA about where VA may deploy the ATRs. From BNE to Gladstone, Emerald and Gladstone. From SYD to Armidale and Tamworth. I expect more routes are also on the frontrunners list.

Have a look at where there has been no regional competition for the last 10 years and you will have your answer for the first ATR base:D

Don't expect Strategic to last all that long on the Gladstone route. They need to fill quite a few seats just to cover the fuel.
QLink have added another 4 flights per week at almost the same times as Strategic.

Emerald and Gladstone would have to be an odds on favourite. Bundy at a guess but there's not as much business traffic.

Rocky maybe to replace any under-performing E-Jet runs (If there are any)

Virgin's SYD - CBR service is pretty good as the time I took them they always full.

Also as business/government officials will commute on this route, think it deserves better aircrafts to provide better services.

Currently QF pretty dominates services to regional NSW, so as VA gets in, defintely fares will become lower and I am quite sure CountryLink will become the worst victim :D

What about MEL-MQL, or can that be upgraded to an E190?

That must have been a one off, last time I took a Virgin Flight up to Sydney I counted no more than 17 people on the flight. That is a regular load!