Originally Posted by
Colonel_Klink
You’d have to think this is unlikely. Lots of recruitment going on (and more to come) that would have a fair number of the WB crew back on the 73 - but all based in Oz.
The airline is approaching the same number of 737s as pre administration. There is a strong push for ‘efficiency’ especially with the new EA.
The decision to close NZ bases was probably in the mix before going into administration which makes it hard to think they will open them back up. Especially if the ZQN flying is anything to go by for what the NZ schedule will look like - early departures from AUS across the Tasman and back late arvo. That sort of flying can easily be crewed ex Aus.
this will all depend on how VA places its self in the market. It’s all good saying it’s efficient to do SYD-ZQN-SYD, but that’s only 5 hours flight time for the frame. Moving that aircraft to and from domestic is a hassle and doesn’t really fit into a proper trans Tasman or greater international schedule, having the aircraft doing Akl-Syd-ZQN-Syd-Akl suddenly has that aircraft hitting 13 hrs per day, highly efficient. Same with Bne and Melbourne sectors, it might mean a change of thinking with VA overnighting crew in Qn but the fears of crew being stuck there because of weather has long gone with RNP. It’s either Australian based crew overnighting in NZ or having an Auckland base again. There’s a reason why Auckland is the hub for JC,J*, ANZ, it’s the most efficient way to fly the Tasman. It’s a reason why the old PB crew went chc-bne-nan-bne-chc, you’re looking at 13-14 hours utilisation. It’s either that our VA gives up on all the early morning NZ departures from NZ, basically giving that market and it connecting pax/freight to QF/NZ. Let’s see what direction they go?