146 to go....in comes the 717
 

QantasLink to Replace BAe146s with Boeing 717s Latest News
SYDNEY, 29 October 2004
QantasLink said today it would replace its fleet of BAe146 aircraft with newer Boeing 717 aircraft from July 2005.

Executive General Manager Regional Airlines, Narendra Kumar, said the Boeing 717 aircraft would move progressively from Jetstar to QantasLink as Jetstar continued to grow its fleet of new Airbus A320s.

"This is a great opportunity for QantasLink and for our customers," Mr Kumar said.

"The newer aircraft will offer fresher cabins for our customers and the extra capacity will stimulate growth on regional routes and allow QantasLink to increase the number of discount seats on these routes."

Mr Kumar said eight Boeing 717s, operating in a 115 seat configuration with a 32 inch seat pitch, would gradually replace eight 65 to 76 seat BAe146s over the 12 months beginning July 2005.

He said QantasLink would continue to fly the remaining two BAe146 aircraft in its fleet, which are leased until December 2006. QantasLink also operates a fleet of 34 Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft.

Mr Kumar said QantasLink would operate the 717s in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. The routes on which the 717s will operate include:
* Perth-Broome
* Perth-Kalgoorlie
* Perth-Karratha
* Perth-Paraburdoo
* Perth-Port Hedland
* Perth-Newman
* Paraburdoo-Newman
* Alice Springs-Ayers Rock
* Alice Springs-Broome
* Alice Springs-Cairns
* Alice Springs-Darwin
* Alice Springs-Perth
* Ayers Rock-Cairns
* Ayers Rock-Perth
* Cairns-Gove-Darwin

Mr Kumar said QantasLink would evaluate proposals from both National Jet Systems, which currently operates the airline's BAe146 fleet, and Jetstar, which currently operates the 717 fleet, to operate and maintain the new QantasLink 717 regional flying operations.

He said the changes to the QantasLink and Jetstar fleets would also require assessment of the various options for maintenance of both Airbus A320 and Boeing 717 aircraft. The Qantas Group would continue to keep all interested parties informed of this process.

QantasLink, one of the Qantas Group's four flying businesses, operates more than 1,900 flights a week to around 50 destinations across Australia.


Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (3177)
Email: [email protected]

It's a good thing it's a Boeing otherwise I'd be going!

Only two engines?? P1ss weak!:D

Right, where's that seniority list...

Hey Bloggs, a little birdie told me late last week that Darwin would be the first base to operate the Boeing that'll get you going!

So they get another paint job. Poor things won't know if they are Arthur or Martha.

So what's the odds for NJS getting them or Jetstar keeping them?

My prediction, Jetstar keep em. They will have a 'you-beaut' deal with QantasLink and and a lean and mean contract. NJS 146 operation slowly wound up and B717 pilots will come from a mixture of NJS EAA and SS with Check and Training from the last of the Jetstar's. The offer may not be the best but there will be enough takers.

:)

Pimp Daddy,
The aircraft are not the only things that are'nt sure if they are Arthur or Martha......

have to disagree Hoss.
The flexability NJS offer as a contractor and the mostly harmonious 11 year partnership will see the NJS boys/girls get the gurnsey.
Clarrie......................dreamin';)

Since the Q-Link management only understand the bottom line, I would not be a bit surprised if the Qantas employed, Qantaslink pilots, (Eastern and Sunstate) adopted the same tactics as did the Impulse Pilot Group and under cut both the J* offer and the National Jet offer after all what have they got to lose….
Qantas mainline don’t want them and the J* offer of career opportunities is a joke.

cunninglinguist

Not at all. Simply repeating something purported to come from one who should know.

Have seen jobs advertised on two websites for B717 Captains and First Officers for contracts in Australasia. Not many 717's in Australasia now are there?

Someone is getting in early to undercut the incumbents.

Sadly I suspect that QF are going to try and further screw down the terms and conditions for this operation. I think spinout is correct........it is only the bottom line that they will look at.

Whoever the lucky ones are, I hope you enjoy it, as it is a magic-looking machine.

how will the 717s go in the hot locations in extreme conditions as compared to the 146? would be interested in any input as i believe the 146 had proved it's worth operating out of such locations and has had superb dispatch reliability.

Topend 3 it will handle the hot wx fine. Can I come too ?

Topend. Do you actually work in the industry?

Capn Bloggs, I think its more of a Mcdonnell Douglas aircraft than a Boeing:ok:
Sorry:rolleyes:

Didn't Boeing buy McDonnell Douglas several years ago? If that is the case technically you could call it a Boeing.

The 717 is technically a McDonnell Douglas machine (the MD95) and it shows. You can thank MD an Honeywell for an integrated avionics package and flight deck that is second to none. You guys will love this airplane!! :ok:

Spinout

I agree J*star progression is a joke as its at the whim of management and as we struggle to hold numbers who is going to let the trickle experienced pilots move across, As i understand only 7 places for every 20 recruits to come from Eastern and Sunstate combined. Regional morale gone.

Vigi one. Perhaps you could have a chat with some of the old crusties as to why you have no progression. The bloke next to you probably was in volved.

LetsGoRated - obviously you haven't flown the MD11 (Mad Dog), which does make the MD95's cockpit runner-up, but only to another MD product. :E