Virgin Australia ATR's to fly MEL-LST

[Ryan K]

I've noticed the same thing Rowan. The MEL-LST flights that were 85 minutes in length have reverted to 60 minutes. Looks like a further delay on the introduction of ATR flights to LST?

[Rowan McKeever]

I looked in my company's corporate travel booking system (which, in my experience, matches what the airlines say on their websites) and same result as looking at VA's website. No ATRs operating out of MEL at least as far through as end-April 2015.

[lloyd fox]

Virgin refuted they were to commence ATR ops ex MEL the week after the ATR was seen in MEL.I read at least 2 articles on that fact.

Virgin stated they would train staff in case ATR aircraft were redeployed there in the future, and then they stated they have no such plans to do so.

[Ryan K]

That still doesn't explain why in VA's booking system two of the four daily MEL-LST flights had been changed to 85 minutes duration. These have both changed back to the normal 60 minute length that the 737-800's and E90's do.

[Dave J]

However it appears the ATR is still scheduled to operate a CBR - MEL - CBR service at some stage!

[Rowan McKeever]

When's that Dave?

[Radi K]

There was plans for the ATR and it did a proving flight but the flights have gone back to E190s for now.

[Dave J]

Starting Monday 10th November VA 262 CBR - MEL is at ATR !! It returns as VA269 from MEL -CBR

[Rowan McKeever]

It's back on. MEL-CBR / MEL-LST with ATRs from next month.

http://australianaviation.com.au/201...rom-melbourne/

[Ryan K]

From what I can gather, VA are dropping all Embraer services from Launceston and settling on three daily 737 MEL-LST flights (Mon-Fri) as well as the current daily SYD-LST 737 service. There does look to be a single ATR flight to compliment the 737 services on the weekend. So perhaps a slight decrease in capacity and certainly a decrease in frequency.