Virgin Blue signs major aircraft deal

[Ash W]

Arthur on the one hand you want the 767's replaced but then say put the new aircraft on routes to Europe and to replace 'early A333s'. That doesn't make sense.

Not sure if you have noticed but the bulk of the 767's operate domestic flights, where the 787 even if it is very late is the ideal replacement. The A332 proved to be too big, so 777's being even bigger also wouldn't work. As for the A333's what exactly is wrong with them? They are newish, have AVOD, what more do you want?

As for routes to other Europe Qantas has already made it clear that Jetstar with their 787's are the way forward on these routes.

[Matt Coughran]

according to Boeing's website, Virgin Blue have committed to 40 737's at the moment.

http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/index.cfm

So will be interesting to see where the other orders end up or when they are added onto the site!

Cheers
Matt

[lloyd fox]

Yes Will, mainly parking but slots will become a issue over the next decade if the 80 per hour cap is maintained.Airlines will still need to increase flights at the peak times.

Cheers Lloyd

[Dave Dale]

Would Virgin Blue ever consider the 737-600 for routes like BNE-ROK/MKY?

[Gareth U]

No. Absolutely not. Both the Embraer fleet and the 73W/G (for peak times) cover these routes well.

I cannot think of any network airline in the world that would benefit from adding the 736 to the fleet. Even for a niche carrier, I would say the 736 would only be beneficial due to lower acquisition costs for a second hand model over other types of similar performance.

[Mike W]

There's pertinent piece of Fleetbuzz Editorial on how significant this order is relative to the whole narrow body Airliner Market and attempts by Bombardier to crash the party.

Taken from the Editorial

While the Virgin Blue 737 order was one that was all but guaranteed for Boeing this year, it also highlights a couple of other decidedly important issues.
Firstly, its that demand for the present crop of A320/737 jets continues unabated - with better access to financing and credit, its is only a matter of time before Boeing emulates Airbus’ moves to increase production of the 737 to between 34 or 35 units per month, representing 8%-10% growth on current output.

More here;

http://www.fleetbuzzeditorial.com/

[Mark D]

Originally Posted by lloyd fox

Yes Will, mainly parking but slots will become a issue over the next decade if the 80 per hour cap is maintained.

I would be AMAZED if the 80/hr cap ever changed... too many political agendae there...
A second airport will happen before the 80/hr cap goes.

[Arthur T]

I believe at first the additional B737s can turn E170s and E190s away from Inter-state capital (eg. SYD - MEL) service and put them back into much-needed regional routes, such as Sydney - Newcastle, Sydney - Bathurst, Sydney - Wagga Wagga, Sydney - Armidale, Sydney - Wollongong, Sydney - Orange, Sydney - Dubbo, Sydney - Broken Hill, Melbourne - Horsham, Melbourne - Avalon (Geelong), Adelaide - Olympic Dam, Adelaide - Kingscote, Adelaide - Port Augusta etc

Furthermore, they can be put onto launch hubs such as Alice Springs, Uluru etc. And they can be used to launch international routes ex-Cairns and ex-Darwin such as Darwin - Singapore, Darwin - Hong Kong, Darwin - Bangkok, Cairns - Singapore, Cairns - Hong Kong, Cairns - Canton etc.

[Zac M]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

I believe at first the additional B737s can turn E170s and E190s away from Inter-state capital (eg. SYD - MEL) service and put them back into much-needed regional routes, such as Sydney - Wollongong, Melbourne - Avalon (Geelong),

They would never even dream of operating these routs, they would just be a waste of fuel!

[Ash W]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

IMelbourne - Horsham, Melbourne - Avalon (Geelong)

I wish to god I had some of what you are smoking. I mean to say you are suggesting a Melbourne-Avalon service. It would be quicker to drive it.