Qantas buying 3 x A321PCF's.

[Tristan S]

Originally Posted by James Smith

After reading the latest post on this thread I was trying to find where VH-ULD had its conversion (XSP). I then noticed that the aircraft regularly arrives from BNE and departs SYD to PER, in the early morning hours. Does the A321P2F have approval to operate into and out of SYD during curfew? It looks to be too regular to be a special dispensation.

https://engage.airservicesaustralia....ght-operations


"Dispensations allow for some BAe146 aircraft to be replaced with Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 narrow body freighters. The Boeing 737s and A320 freighters are younger, more fuel efficient and carry more freight per movement then existing aircraft operating overnight to/from Sydney Airport."
I assume A320 means A320 family aircraft.

[James Smith]

Very interesting, Tristan. Thanks for the link to the website. Pity that the dispensation is only effective to 30 June, 2021.

[Brenden S]

This was due to COVID and the requirement for freight. Airlines managed to get a 12 month dispensation for curfew flights.

[Tristan S]

Originally Posted by Brenden S

This was due to COVID and the requirement for freight. Airlines managed to get a 12 month dispensation for curfew flights.

Yeah.. less RPT flights means less cargo being carried that way .. the lil old 146s/RJs just couldnt cope!

[Tom PER]

Can confirm -VWZ is undergoing P2F conversion at ST Aero at XSP, she’ll be temp re-registered with a European rego I believe as her conversion will be under EASA certification, before going back to the VH register.

[Adrian B]

Slight side note - found this YouTube clip on converting an ex Thai A330 -322 to a freighter.

Link to Youtube "Aircraft Conversion XXL"

[Kent Broadhead]

Originally Posted by Adrian B

Slight side note - found this YouTube clip on converting an ex Thai A330 -322 to a freighter.

Link to Youtube "Aircraft Conversion XXL"

Coincidentally i watched that just a couple of weeks ago. It's really interesting, although most of the footage isn't of the ex-Thai bird.

[Tristan S]

Plane Spotters now shows VH-VWZ as 'Cargo' due to Qantas, operated by Express Freighters.

https://www.planespotters.net/airfra...airways/eg2pvr

[MarkR]

VH-ULD has not flown much of late, reliability seems to be a big issue, not good when the cargo needs are seeing quite a lot of extra A330 flights.

[Tristan S]

VH-VWZ has been re-registered VH-ULW with the registered operator now Express Freighters.