One 744 will be available for retirement when QF15/16 is operated by 789s from 1/9/18; a second when QF55/56 is operated by 789s from 1/12/18 and a third when QF127/128 is operated exclusively by A380s seasonally and A330s at other times from 13/12/18. Also, it was announced that 744s would be retired from July, 2018 which could be one of the rollers, if OEB is remaining until 2019.
With OEB to be retired in the first quarter of 2019, OJS, OJT and OJU could all be retired in 2018, although it will be a tight fit with six 744s operating QF25/26, 27/28, 63/64, 73/74 and 75/76 seasonally, with current timings.
A look at the QANTAS timetables in April 2019 indicates that all these flights, apart from QF75/76 which is seasonal, will be operated by 744s. It will be interesting to watch developments. With SFO services commencing from MEL I thought it was a good opportunity to schedule services from SFO to SYD and return from the MEL services on some days of the week to free up some 744 capacity.
Fred, do you know the schedule of 744 retirements for the remainder of 2018?
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