The future of VARA?

[non_state_actor]

At 40C, Coondewanna, Barimunya, West Angelese, and any other runway around 2000m or under. Just face it, your 60s technology dinosaur is a pile of crap

A 27K -700 would be like launching the Space Shuttle out of those places. You would have to give a passenger briefing for the excessive body angle to stop everyone freaking out
It isn't a runway performance issue, the issue is the PCN and tyre pressures. Looking at the ERSA a 737 exceeds the published figures for those airports. Whether the aerodrome operator will allow you to land regularly over the PCN is the question. There are airports on the east coast with a much lower PCN than these mines that take A320 and 737 everyday so its up to the aerodrome operator. If possible ditching the F100 for the 737 would be a great move as you get alot more capacity and capability. However if it was that simple they would have already be doing it by now.

[-41]

My reference was to the 26k 800’s getting the bump to 27k.
Ive been re-educated and a 73N can no longer lift a load when it’s 40deg.

[non_state_actor]

My reference was to the 26k 800’s getting the bump to 27k.

Still the same issue with the PCN regardless. I imagine it would take a full load on a 45 degree day.

[-41]

Agreed. An exemption would be difficult to obtain with Pilbara high ambient temps, so let’s see what happens to those particular contracts. The same management that sent VAH broke tendered on them.

[Icarus2001]

If possible ditching the F100 for the 737 would be a great move as you get alot more capacity and capability. However if it was that simple they would have already be doing it by now.

The mining clients want frequency over maximum capacity. A terminal that can deal with a shift change and aircraft load of 100 passengers would struggle with 180 passengers.

As mentioned above, margins are thin.

[Blueskymine]

Originally Posted by Icarus2001

The mining clients want frequency over maximum capacity. A terminal that can deal with a shift change and aircraft load of 100 passengers would struggle with 180 passengers.

As mentioned above, margins are thin.

They also want jets that are modern, safe and flown by experienced crew under a robust safety management system.

[Icarus2001]

They also want jets that are modern, ...

Yet they use F100 and BAE 146 aircraft.

[-41]

Realistically it’s cost not fleet age as evident with the use of ageing fleets in Aus / Indo and North America.
The 737/200 Is the workhorse in Canada, the DC9 (MD82) does the job without issue for Freeport.

My argument is it’s pointless servicing contracts without a healthy bottom line when you are an airline. It appears Bain has little interest VARA since their EA is not being renegotiated, unlike every other VA EA.

[maesaithwameh]

Hearing rumours that Bain is looking for buyers for VARA. Can anyone confirm?

[Denied Justice]

Alliance - but they won't want all of it.

[neville_nobody]

They also want jets that are modern, safe and flown by experienced crew under a robust safety management system.

No they don't. They want the cheapest option.

[puff]

Originally Posted by jrfsp

14 F100s currently, but a few are scheduled to be leaving this year.

The seat count of the F100s is more suitable for WA ops with for both RPT flights and mine charters. Also would be saying goodbye to Christmas / Cocos Islands...thats one place A320s cannot be replaced with 738s.

Perhaps if they are planning on retaining the two -700s?, they could be PER based.

Whats the reason why the 737 could not replace the A320 on CCK/XCH?

[SecretAngel]

How many sectors are the F100s doing a day? I had always understood that a lot of the FIFO flying was low sectors, with a lot of downtime for each frame - meaning that low capital cost of acquisition was a major factor.

Easier to be profitable when the depreciation/lease cost of the plane that spends most of its time on the ground is almost zero. Harder to be profitable, if the plane is burning money sitting on the tarmac.

If Bain really want to simplify to just 737s, I reckon there'd be a good chance they would sell VARA and contract the flying.

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[The Baron]

The problem with Skywest (vara) is that they have clauses in the EBA of redundancy of up to 52 weeks and clapped out old aircraft. Clearly Bain would likw to dispose of them but, who would pay hard cold cash for those liabilities?

[geeup]

Originally Posted by The Baron

The problem with Skywest (vara) is that they have clauses in the EBA of redundancy of up to 52 weeks and clapped out old aircraft. Clearly Bain would likw to dispose of them but, who would pay hard cold cash for those liabilities?

Don't know the condition of the VARA Fokkers but not so sure I'd call them clapped out old machines. Everyone operating them seem to be making money where as the shine jet fraternity seem to be broke!

[Dale Hardale]

Baron,

That’s why Alliance would not look at VARA as a whole.

Don’t know how Bain will manage this through to a VARA exit?.

[-41]

This thread can now be closed, GT said on Saturday that vara is fine and will do well. Perhaps VA 737 Perth base will be closed with vara handling the WA routes in the 320’s.

[Buster Hyman]

Network expanding the fleet will make it interesting.

[ROH111]

They said QF would look different. Never waste a downturn.

[Section28- BE]

Originally Posted by ROH111

They said QF would look different. Never waste a downturn.

Yup.....!!!!

Hmmmm, Paper 'not' worth Much at all...???, aye!!!! (vis Contracts, better put that in.... ), in these times???

Then, 'hence'- Don't, 'Walk and Talk'- you say....???? Apparently, time shall 'tell'......

Trust, 'that' is not too 'obscure'...
rgds all/& be Well
S28- BE