QLink at MEL

Rowan McKeever · #1 16th June 2014, 03:58 PM

Per several news articles as well as the QF online timetable all QantasLink services ex MEL will be operated by Q400 from 17 August 2014. There will be schedule changes as well on CBR-MEL, CBR-SYD and CBR-ADL, along with the withdrawal of Q400s on ADL-MEL.

Brad Myer · #2 16th June 2014, 08:16 PM

Any details on the changes… I notice the Q400s are off the MEL-ADL-MEL route but can't see any other changes on the routes listed.

Thanks

Max C · #3 16th June 2014, 08:51 PM

In a nutshell;

The end of Q300 ops in Vic & Tas.
The end of Q400 ops on MEL-ADL, the CBR-ADL flights are retimed to allow the rotation of aircraft between ADL and SYD.
Timing changes between SYD-CBR-MEL
All SYD-ABX flights now Q400 (i think it is reduced from 4 to 3 flights M-F)

Zac M · #4 16th June 2014, 09:50 PM

Does this mean there is an extra Q400 coming online?

Max C · #5 17th June 2014, 01:43 PM

Yes, Due online by mid-Aug. Rego could bq LQO but not 100% sure.

Brad Myer · #6 18th June 2014, 10:11 AM

Gove is being cut as well:

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/news/qanta...-1226957927604

Anyone know where the freed up B717 will be deployed?

Rowan McKeever · #7 18th June 2014, 12:26 PM

Just saw the GOV news as well. I imagine the 717 from this route will remain CNS-based and fly a BNE or a SYD to maintain the rotations through ASP and AYQ? Not sure if a 717 can do CNS-SYD? Seems likely they're pushing more of the 717s over to the east, especially with Network starting to take on RPT ops in WA.

StevenW · #8 18th June 2014, 01:21 PM

Gove was always on the cards, it was just a matter of which service (or both) were being cut. The refinery is pretty much shut down.

Max C · #9 18th June 2014, 02:14 PM

Bear in mind that the East Coast FIFO is slowing as well. Q400's are taking over 1 line of 717 flying out of QLD from July, that 717 will then take over the last remaining Alliance F100 BNE-MKY flights.

Rowan McKeever · #10 18th June 2014, 04:50 PM

On reflection, I wonder if the Gove withdrawal will also lead to DRW-ASP being cut back from 2 to 1 daily and the CNS-based 717 flying a pattern like, say, CNS-AYQ-ASP-CNS-DRW-CNS (maybe CNS-ASP-AYQ-CNS... on alternate days). That would free up one Top End aircraft to head down south a bit.

Or, what are people's thoughts on 1 or 2 of the all-Y 717s being reconfigured to JY for the CBR network? Possibly for CBR-ADL among other things. Which might, in turn, free a Q400 up for more SA-based work or to start ADL/CBR-HBA?