TXE departed Cairns as N328FV for USA on Saturday.
Question mark now hangs over TBS which is coming up for a chk C. Alot of money was spent on it last time so this one should be fairly painless but aluminium white ants could be an issue. If NJ have bought it, that would be a positive sign. They definitely need a 6th 727, particularily with the withdrawal of QF 767s to Darwin. Darwin primary producers are screaming out for capacity south ( and north to Singapore)
To ensure their long term viability, NJ needs to set up operations independent of QF.
If TBS goes, there is a ideal replacement available for it. The RNZAF combie is currently up for tender along with 4 spare engines, parts and tooling.
Hopefully, NJ won't try to 'improve' the 727 operation too much and leave well alone. There is much truth in that old adage, 'if it aint broke then don't fix it'. But we all know that new brooms inveriably can't help themselves. Having said that, todate and to their credit, they have been gentle.