Virgin Blue gets the Cocos & Christmas Is. routes

[Gunger]

Early days as the flight(s) have only just started, however, the direct Cocos flight has had approx 90 pax on it. It has generally been above 80 pax for the round trip thus far.

Pretty good load if you ask me

[Skystar320]

Oh well, the Illegal immigrants are good for something then!

[poacher2gamekeeper]

SS320

Sir/Madam,

You are a true and genuine Moron.

Enjoy your teens when you get there.

P2G

[Icarus2001]

Early days as the flight(s) have only just started

Well not really Ansett/NJS/Cobham have been flying that route for about 17 years so it is not as if VB have had to build the route up from nothing. They are simply using a 104 seat aircraft instead of a 70 seat one.

however, the direct Cocos flight has had approx 90 pax on it. It has generally been above 80 pax for the round trip thus far.

Interesting. I had been told that the flights were capped at 80 pax to allow fuel and freight. Maybe I was mis-informed

[Flight Detent]

I thought it was Australian Airlines, not Ansett that operated that route for many a year.

I know for a fact that the Australian Airlines 727s did it for quite some time...then they downgraded to 737s for some time after that.

My last flight there (in a '72), was around Feb/Mar 1988.

Cheers...FD...

[yowieII]

Icarus,
That 70 seater was capped at 54 seats to allow for seat packs. I don't know of any "capping" for the 190, but if so would be around 90 on the PH-CC leg. That would be at full tanks.

[tcasegpws]

The 190 doesnt have seat pax but a little more space underbelly but still doesnt cater for the amount of freight required for the boats

[Arthur Boy]

Slightly off topic, but do we know who has been doing the shuttling to the mainland from XCH for all our uninvited guests? DJ, TL, QF, JQ or VC???

That'd be a nice little earner i would think!

[Dog One]

Have heard Air North's E170 operating YPDN - XMX

[forgetabowdit]

Virgin 738 been operating several charters to Christmas over the past few months from Perth.

[Goat Whisperer]

The photo in the Australian last week was a QF 738. Taking overload to mainland.

[Icarus2001]

but do we know who has been doing the shuttling to the mainland from XCH for all our uninvited guests?

Pretty much anyone with a serviceable jet, a crew and an AOC. See photo on page 6 of todays Australian.

[B772]

Flight Detent

AN operated the L188 and B727 to the area for many years followed by MV using the BAe146. I think the DC4 and or DC6B may have operated prior to the L188. Prior to this QF operated the L1049.

[Cactusjack]

At the rate the Asylum Seekers are pouring in DJ would be wise to invest in an A380, lengthened rwy and improved airport infrastructure. Plenty of business opportunities up there which are growing by the day.

Also why dont they put on a daily service flying pollies and other footstools over the oil spill caused by the foolish cargo ship driver ? Must be some potential coin to be made doing that for a week or two ?

[Arthur Boy]

Thanks all......looks like everyone is getting in on it.....

And P2G, whats wrong with SS320's post that pushed your button?......please remember this board is about aviation and thoughts of other matters do not belong here.....

AB

[poacher2gamekeeper]

AB
My point exactly.
P2G

[Capn Bloggs]

followed by MV using the BAe146

And the F28 before the Swinebat, Bloggs!

[Icarus2001]

So any news how the service is going?

I have heard that Christmas Island went over a week without a service due weather and that the next aircraft that made it in there elected not to service Cocos as per their schedule. Happy islanders no doubt.

Also heard that the 146 is still running out there with freight that VB cannot manage due high pax loads.

[Icarus2001]

Three weekends in a row the 146 has taken freight to the Islands because the E Jet cannot carry any and the 737 cannot land at Cocos.

So VB won the contract but the taxpayer has to fund extra services on the 146 because VB cannot "do the job" that they tendered to do?

What a disgrace.

[F111]

How much freight could the 146 take with 90 or more passengers?