Virgin to fly international, at least to NZ

[getaway]

have a source at virgin who says they will be flying to NZ (B738s only), when there are no restrictions whatsoever.

Actual start date is unknown. Tried to pin them down, but wouldn't come up with any date, due to covid restrictions in place right now, but did get out of them, certainly before winter.

[UnderneathTheRadar]

One of the first 'bubble' flights on Saturday was reported as being VA

[getaway]

up until now, think it was all speculation.

Tried to find out routes & frequency, but wasn't told much, except will be determined by demand, which presume means less frequencies than in 2019, but that that AKL & ZQN were definite.

[Buster Hyman]

Has the Townsville Refueller relocated?

[MickG0105]

... wasn't told much, except will be determined by demand ...

So essentially what was reported in The Fin over two weeks ago.

A Virgin spokesman said that as international border restrictions eased and demand for air travel returned, the company would look to reintroduce short-haul international services which were suspended in response to COVID-19.

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-nz-travel-bubble-set-to-take-off-within-weeks-20201002-p561f6

[Ragnor]

I hope VA have that pesky issue of an AOC they had pre covid of using Oz crew on Tasman etc. considering QF and JQ are doing it already with 2/5s of f all punters on it one way starting ex AKL never alone a return. Can’t wait to watch VA mess this up.

[TBM-Legend]

Reactivate the Kiwi AOC and employ pilots on Kiwi pay scales.....

[getaway]

So essentially what was reported in The Fin over two weeks ago.



https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-nz-travel-bubble-set-to-take-off-within-weeks-20201002-p561f6
there's a big difference between will look at it (sometime in the future) & definitely next year, probably earlier rather than later.

Sounds like way less flights to ZQN than in 2019 (were up to 8/week BNE/ZQN, IIRC in winter 2019), as ZQN is mostly a leisure & price sensitive market & Queenstown is getting very VERY expensive, which will mean, with recession, less Australians will go there. AKL is different of course.

Will JQ fly BNE/ZQN ? Maybe. Although QF flies up to 3 times a week, different market. EG. JQ & QF did both fly SYD/HNL.

[PoppaJo]

Getaway I’ve heard they are putting Tiger over on Kiwi domestic. Any hints or news on the start date for that one?

[brokenagain]

Operating out of Bankstown apparently too.

[PoppaJo]

Na I’ve got Auckland to DPS via Isa.

[MickG0105]

there's a big difference between will look at it (sometime in the future) & definitely next year, probably earlier rather than later.

Only in some people's minds.

[Section28- BE]

Hmmmm-

'Tremendous' insight there, 'BNEA320'..............

YOU, ARE- all over 'it', could you perchance educate 'Jayne from Bain/ & Co'- as toward this 'fabulous' opportunity- that, 'they' seem to have Not factored 'into' the Business Case....????, Yet.

Took the opportunity- to speak, with both the LRE and ISA Refuellers' and Mate 'they' ARE ALL onboard for this Bali Gig...... when, you get it 'UP'- Good to GO!!!!!

rgds all
S28- BE

[Logan31]

Reactivate the Kiwi AOC and employ pilots on Kiwi pay scales.....
That isnt a bad business plan at all.

Reactivate the Kiwi AOC and employ pilots on Kiwi pay scales.....

Might not be a bad idea something to think about for Bain.

[Anti Skid On]

Getaway I’ve heard they are putting Tiger over on Kiwi domestic. Any hints or news on the start date for that one?
Yep, they're going to use the Beech 1900's that were previously used by Eagle......

[LH777]

Unless you're doing the odd NZQN for tourists you really need to start the Tasman flight early in the AM NZ time. This means either NZ based crew or overnights for Aussie based crew

[getaway]

Unless you're doing the odd NZQN for tourists you really need to start the Tasman flight early in the AM NZ time. This means either NZ based crew or overnights for Aussie based crewThink you may have this the wrong way around, eg. almost all QF, JQ & VA flights from BNE, OOL, SYD & MEL to ZQN depart in am & turn around & go straight back to where they started. Not sure what NZ does ? 3 sectors maybe (triangle if originate in New Zealand ?

Is eg. AKL/BNE/ZQN/AKL possible with same crew ?

[LH777]

Think you may have this the wrong way around, eg. almost all QF, JQ & VA flights from BNE, OOL, SYD & MEL to ZQN depart in am & turn around & go straight back to where they started. Not sure what NZ does ? 3 sectors maybe (triangle if originate in New Zealand ?

Is eg. AKL/BNE/ZQN/AKL possible with same crew ?

Maybe, but if you start in NZ early the aircraft can fly 4 sectors (2 trans-Tasman return) and get back to NZ around midnight

[whisperjet146]

Maybe, but if you start in NZ early the aircraft can fly 4 sectors (2 trans-Tasman return) and get back to NZ around midnight

spot on, exactly how it went pre covid.

[On Guard]

Those a/c leaving for Zqn have already done 1 sector nz-aus, hence the benefits of nz originating.

[getaway]

Maybe, but if you start in NZ early the aircraft can fly 4 sectors (2 trans-Tasman return) and get back to NZ around midnight
of course, but I was referring to most economic use of a single crew.

Does anyone know if for example, NZ ever had a single crew do 3 sectors (2 x TT & 1 domestic), ie. such as AKL/BNE/ZQN/AKL ? (or to reduce flying time, substitute SYD or MEL for BNE)

[MickG0105]

... (or to reduce flying time, substitute SYD or MEL for BNE)
Say what? Melbourne is about 200 nm (~30 mins) further from Auckland than Brisbane; Sydney is marginally closer than Brisbane by flying times are line ball.

[getaway]

Say what? Melbourne is about 200 nm (~30 mins) further from Auckland than Brisbane; Sydney is marginally closer than Brisbane by flying times are line ball.
ok but from memory BNE/ZQN is around 300 miles longer than SYD/ZQN

Anyone know if NZ ever did triangular route such as AKL/SYD/ZQN/AKL with 1 crew ?

[Slezy9]

ok but from memory BNE/ZQN is around 300 miles longer than SYD/ZQN

Anyone know if NZ ever did triangular route such as AKL/SYD/ZQN/AKL with 1 crew ?

Unable to do it due to crew duty and roster limitations which prohibit no international into domestic.

[getaway]

Unable to do it due to crew duty and roster limitations which prohibit no international into domestic.is that an Australian or New Zealand rule ?

Surely NZ could go to govt & say need it for efficient use of crew.

[plainmaker]

AIUI the ANZ domestic and trans-tasman A320's are configured differently, so it would be highly unusual for a 'over water' configured aircraft doing a domestic sector unless it was for engineering or fleet purposes.

[Slezy9]

is that an Australian or New Zealand rule ?

Surely NZ could go to govt & say need it for efficient use of crew.

I don’t think you can do it in crew duty limits (11 hours)

[Lapon]

of course, but I was referring to most economic use of a single crew.

Does anyone know if for example, NZ ever had a single crew do 3 sectors (2 x TT & 1 domestic), ie. such as AKL/BNE/ZQN/AKL ? (or to reduce flying time, substitute SYD or MEL for BNE)

Do you mean NZ crew or Air NZ crew? I thought Jetstar NZ did a triangle of sorts at somepoint in time?

[Sparrows.]

Do you mean NZ crew or Air NZ crew? I thought Jetstar NZ did a triangle of sorts at somepoint in time?
JQ did them for a long time. Originating in Auckland would then go to either Sydney or Melbourne, then Queenstown and back to Auckland. Or the opposite, ZQN first, then Tasman.

Would very often (more times than not), run late. And was already planned right to the limit of F&D. It was made particularly difficult for Aus crew when sent to Auckland to do this pattern. 5am sign on’s would be 3am (even 2am for the week or two a year when NZ have daylight savings and Aus doesn’t) for their body clocks. Often multiple days in a row. Wasn’t a particularly popular trip...

Never had Aussie flighties on board. Rumour was they couldn’t do the domestic leg due to NZ Responsibly Service of Alcohol rules. Not sure what the real reason was.

[Section28- BE]

is that an Australian or New Zealand rule ?

Surely NZ could go to govt & say need it for efficient use of crew.

Should, 'Jayne' from Bain & Co- 'observe' your self-evidentiary 'Brilliance'- reckon, 'they' shall BE all over 'IT' in a heart-beat .....!!!!

Yourself and 'BNEA320' have never Operated 'Gear'- much !!!!, have 'you'.....?????

There IS, 'stuff'- going ON...!!!, Apparently.

rgds/be well
S28- BE

[getaway]

anyone heard if virgin will be going back to Fiji ?

If so, how often ? Daily from BNE, SYD, MEL or 2 or 3/week ?

[Beer Baron]

Will Virgin 2.0 be allowed to fly to international destinations other than NZ?

I understood that international traffic rights for Australian carriers (other than NZ) only applied to majority Australian owned carriers. VAI had a clever ownership structure set up when they went public that allowed them to use these rights despite VAH being majority foreign owned.

Will they be able to use this same structure now that the whole box and dice has been bought by a US company?

(Apologies if some of the details are off, can’t remember it all perfectly)

[Wingspar]

I think VA was bought by the Australian arm of Bain? Might be a separate entity.