Virgin Australia callsign change

[JamesW]

From next Monday 28th October Virgin Australia will be changing their callsign to Velocity.

The Virgin Australia Group of Airlines currently use four separate Callsigns:

• Virgin Australia International - VAU (Vee‐Oz)
• Virgin Australia New Zealand - PBN (BlueBird)
• Virgin Australia Holdings - VBH (Bluey)
• Virgin Australia - VOZ (Virgin)

All Virgin Australia Group aircraft will operate under one signal radio telephony and ICAO designator;

• Radio Telephony Designator: VELOCITY (+ suffix numbers)
• Three Letter Designator: VOZ (+ suffix numbers)

[Maikha Ly]

Just for curiosity, what's the reasoning behind this change?

[Paul f.]

Because Virgin Australia cant use the callsign "VIRGIN" on international flights so its easy just have one callsign.

[JamesL]

It's another part of the game changer program to unify the airlines.

[Michael Mak]

Does that mean 'VAU/'Vee-Oz' and 'PBN/Bluebird' will be kept in the meantime?

[Jason H]

Hmmm so what if the flight departs and is flying during the change. Change of callsign enroute perhaps?

[Adam P.]

Does that mean 'VAU/'Vee-Oz' and 'PBN/Bluebird' will be kept in the meantime?

Nope - everything's changing to Velocity. Two extra syllables, faaaaantastic...

[Rowan McKeever]

Originally Posted by Jason H

Hmmm so what if the flight departs and is flying during the change. Change of callsign enroute perhaps?

I'd guess that's the reference to flight crews must use the callsign matching the designator on their flight plan (further up the thread), as there's not really a time of the day when DJ doesn't have something in the air.

Personally I'd like to see them change 'DJ' too... not like it obviously means something...???

[Arthur T]

I think when you're changing the IATA code there'll be potential issues as customers may be surprised their flight number is gone.

One thing I'd suggest for plai change is try selling tickets with VA code only, then when no tickets with DJ with it then phase out the code.

[JamesL]

IATA code will change when they change to Sabre reservation systems.