VA / TT Fleet departures

[Tristan S]

Originally Posted by James Smith

Is Virgin Australia planning to return to the SYD to CBR route with ATR72s? The reason I ask is that from Monday 26/7/21 the Virgin booking site shows nine direct flights per day on the route operated by ATRs. Prior to this date there are no direct flights available, the system offering flights only via MEL.

The flights have what look to be genuine flight numbers but are only operated by ATRs. I presume that Virgin may either operate the services themselves, defying their one aircraft mandate, or lease some of their ATRs in storage to Alliance or another airline to operate the flights on Virgin's behalf.

Any comments from any other members on the likelihood of Virgin returning to this route?

VA have no ATRs in their fleet - so no chance of it happening. Likely a glitch in the matrix.

[James Smith]

According to Flightaware B738 VH-YIW is resuming services for Virgin on Friday 26/3/21 operating return flights from MEL to OOL, NTL & ADL. According to my records, the B738s flying for Virgin will then total 55, including one at XSP undergoing maintenance.

It is presumed that after VH-YVC has maintenance in HKG in April it will also return to service with Virgin.

[James Smith]

I have attached a link to the dummy booking to CBR I inputted for 26 July, 2021 flying direct on a Virgin ATR. It still looks as though Virgin is the designated operator for the ATRs they have in storage.

https://book.virginaustralia.com/dx/...execution=e3s1

[James Smith]

Australian Aviation has confirmed that Virgin is to re-enter the SYD-CBR route in a story titled "REX rivals QANTAS to fly Sydney-Canberra as row deepens."

The route is currently operated only by Qantas after Virgin pulled out, though Virgin does intend to restart the route soon in a collaboration with Alliance.

Link to the item: https://australianaviation.com.au/20...4d2632df0284e3

[Tristan S]

Almost 1 year to the day since it last flew an RPT flight, VH-YIW is back in the air operating VA1293 MEL CNS.

EDIT: Interestingly only at 25,000ft - wondering if that was planned as part of the return to service or for some other operational reason.

[James Smith]

It is good to see another Virgin B738 back in the air. Yes Tristan, VH-YIW has planned to CNS at 24,000 and is now at 25,000, so it could be an operational height limitation for the flight or he could just be trying to avoid forecasted turbulence or reported winds at higher levels on the route. It'll be interesting to see if the return leg plus the legs to SYD and back later in the day are at similar lower levels.

[Steve S... 2]

No test flight after sitting on the ground for a year?

This makes my arm hairs raise. Not good no matter how intense the ground checks are.

[Tristan S]

Originally Posted by Steve S... 2

No test flight after sitting on the ground for a year?

This makes my arm hairs raise. Not good no matter how intense the ground checks are.

It ferried BNE MEL in February.

[Steve S... 2]

Thanks That explains it.

[James Smith]

YIW is currently on its return flight from CNS to MEL and is again cruising at its planned level of 25,000. BTW, the ferry flight in February was at 40,000.