4 More A330s for Jetstar

[Brendan Lawrence]

The fleet information section of our intranet has the fifth A332 registration listed as VH-EBK. I initially found this strange seeing as that is already allocated to one of the QF A332s, so people's theories about EBK transferring seem plausible. It says its MSN is 0945, if that helps. It's planned entry into service says Dec 09. The extra A332s beyond that are not yet listed - presumably the new frames coming from Toulouse.

[Brad Myer]

Very confusing with the site listing 2x new A332s bound for JQ... Plus EBK apparently being moved to JQ as well.

Doesnt make sense at all for QF to operate just 1x domestic A332 (EBJ) if EBK does go to JQ.

[Jarden S]

Maybe they will transfer over EBJ as well.

[Brad Myer]

Found this from MAY this year:

http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn...009/may09/3914

The Qantas Group operates a total of 22 A330 aircraft. Jetstar operates six A330-200s while Qantas operates six A330-200s and 10 A330-300s. The Qantas Group is expected to take delivery of another two A330s in the next 12 months.

Maybe EBK will go to JQ and QF will get the 2x brand new A332s due later this year?

[Mark B]

If they really are for Europe, the newer builds would be better off with JQ. Maybe they are going to swap some planes around so that the newer 332's that can be modified to have longer range are with JQ.

[Mark B]

...and recent build 332's can be upgraded to the longer range ops.The older builds cannot.

[Tom PER]

With the amount of PER-SYD/MEL flights -EBG/H/I and L have been doing lately it makes perfect sense to send -EBJ/K to Jetstar and add to the current International A332 fleet with the 2 new additions and also operate these to PER and also to try and standardize the equipment operating here.

Thanks for that info Brendan.

I think it's any A330 delivered 2004 onwards can be upgraded.

[Paul C.]

The new aircraft will probably be VH-EBM and VH-EBN.

[Andrew T]

Originally Posted by Mark B

If they really are for Europe, the newer builds would be better off with JQ.

I believe JQ intends to use these 4 new A330-200HGW for sectors to Europe and I suspect they will come with Rolls-Royce Trent 772-60B-EP engines instead as the 238t A330-200 is not available yet with GE engines.

Originally Posted by Mark B

...and recent build 332's can be upgraded to the longer range ops.The older builds cannot.

Originally Posted by Mark B

Maybe they are going to swap some planes around so that the newer 332's that can be modified to have longer range are with JQ.

Please correct me if I am wrong. I think there are some limitations regarding which A330 can undergo the modification. I believe the A330 must be produced after 2004 and it can only be powered by Rolls-Royce or Pratt & Whitney engines. The A330s currently flying for both QF and JQ use GE CF6-80E1A3 engines, thus the modification is not usable on these frames.

[Brad Myer]

According to this topic:

http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-reporting...32-orders.html

QF domestic A332 VH-EBK will go to JQ in DEC, and QF will get the 2x brand new A332s due in the new year.

Anyone have any further details configs etc?