Virgin Blue restarts MEL-DRW and adds PER-DRW

[Anthony T]

Effective 27/04/09
12345-7 DRW 1815-MEL 2225

Effective 28/04/09
-2345-- MEL 0115-DRW 0515
----5-7 MEL 2145-DRW 0145+1
1234567 DRW 0700-PER 0920
1234567 PER 1105-DRW1625

Anthony T

[Radi K]

0115am ex MEL - Ouch!

[Bob C]

Good news about the VB Darwin - Perth flight. Long overdue.

But surely Melbourne - Darwin is only reintroducing the "Dry" season flight
which was dropped before the beginning of the last "Wet" season when loads are traditionally down.

Radi, I lived in Darwin for several years and like many others often had to get the "Midnight Horror" flights from Darwin to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane which usually departed between midnight and 0200. It was never a problem but arriving in the southern capitals early on a winter's morning was a shock to the system.

At least Victorians will arrive to a balmy tropical morning with the new flight.

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Radi K

0115am ex MEL - Ouch!

That's nasty!!!

[Rhys Xanthis]

Per-Drw is long overdue, I've been waiting for it for a while.

At the same time though, Skywest have just restarted flights to Darwin via Broome and/or Kununurra (i think its kununurra).

Some over capacity probably, but i guess all will come out in the next 6 or so months.

[Mick F]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radi K View Post
0115am ex MEL - Ouch!

That's nasty!!!

Why do people think that's so bad? Like Bob, I lived in Darwin for a period of time, and it wasn't unusual at all to be catching an 0030-0200 flight out of Darwin, because there was very little choice!

Good to see the Southerners getting a bit of their own medicine, .

Mick

[Jarden S]

Originally Posted by Rhys Xanthis

Per-Drw is long overdue, I've been waiting for it for a while.

At the same time though, Skywest have just restarted flights to Darwin via Broome and/or Kununurra (i think its kununurra).

Some over capacity probably, but i guess all will come out in the next 6 or so months.

Regarding the MEL-DRW flight. There is an under capacity on this route since Tiger pulling out leaving it to jetstar. From Bitre statistics passenger volumes grew at 88% in the last year on Mel-Drw. And that was before tiger quit Darwin over expensive landing fees. I hope DJ can afford those expensive fees at DRW. I also hope that DJ can restart SYD-DRW and ADL-DRW to fill in the missing links. Too long it was just one daily flight to Darwin from Brisbane. They need more E-jets for this sort of expansion. Surely there is room for more than one player between SYD and DRW.

[Marty H]

SYD-DRW and ADL-DRW could definitely work at 'seasonal flights'

[Daniel M]

Originally Posted by Radi K

0115am ex MEL - Ouch!

seems ridiculous to keep ground crew at work for another hour and a half minimum (if its running on time) to have it departing at 0115...not for the sake of having to be at work that late, but just in terms of overtime if the flight ends up being delayed etc...could end up costly for the company!

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Daniel M

seems ridiculous to keep ground crew at work for another hour and a half minimum (if its running on time) to have it departing at 0115...not for the sake of having to be at work that late, but just in terms of overtime if the flight ends up being delayed etc...could end up costly for the company!

Also how's it going to work for the bagroom as you know they are out the door at 12:30am on the dot?