QF 717s east coast etc
 

A snippet in the Australian quoted "informed gossip" about QF introducing currently idle 717s in 4-abreast super economy seating to the East Coast (Canberra) to counter the Virgin Embraer threat.

I have also talk that they will change pax arrangements at Sydney Airport for the Canberra shuttle so that both 737s and Dash 8 operations will not involve any (very unpopular) bussing to aircraft.

To a cynic like me, I would think that QF is running a little scared...

Any whispers among the PPrune community on all of this?

Which page of the Australian was that in?

there was a "Business Travel special" or something similar in yesterday's paper. It was in there. You're testing my memory but it might have been in the article re the Virgin Embraer jets?

And I bet the jungle jets will carry more freight too! With all those livery changes, those 717's will be weight restricted to buggery!!!:rolleyes:

Buster, don't worry mate. The wallets of the mob in Row Zero are so light that a few extra coats of paint won't make any difference to the performance!

Think it was an advertorial liftout of the Fin Review, rather than the Australian.

If its true it will be intereted to find out who will crew these aircraft.

If rumours from the west are correct, NJS will need to pull up their socks before CASA will allow them to expand. Apparently lost 20+ engineers to other operators since Christmas(??)

Cost?
 

Excuse my ignorance here but wouldn't these aircraft be leased in some way shape or form?

Surely with them sitting idle, a great deal of money is going to waste, even if they aren't accumulating hours.:eek:

So much for QF trying to remove unnecessary cost from the business, oh sorry that's only from the staff!:E

I think you will find that Airbus pay/have a deal with Qantas to keep them on the ground.

Called through NTL this morning and VH-YQF is back in QantasLink colours.

:)

Just wondering about the 4 abreast super economy :confused:
Does this mean they are going to turn it into an 90 seater or a 185 seater ?

I believe the 717 painted in Qlink colours is simply to replace the one they are losing ( temporarily ) to heavy maintenance? at least thats wot NJS sources suggest.

Buster

Have a look at the Embraer website and go to the tech/dimensions stuff. The belly lockers look like they would be struggling to get more than 2 standard bags across. I have to look at this stuff for my professional surfing clients. A full load and you would be lucky to get any sporting baggage or freight on at all, much less all the regular baggage.

Cunning

American ran the 717 in semi business config of 2/2 for quite a while between LAX and DAL (Dallas Love Field) at reasonable fares with good success until just after 9/11 when they pushed a hundred odd 717s up against the fence for a period of time.

Best all

EWL

Alot of homesick NJS crew would love nothing better than the opportunity to be based back on the east coast again. Previous lives were B146 Qlink in Rok, Mky, Bne and Cbr. How would B717 compare wth E Jets performance wise/pax appeal, where would this leave the Qflink Q400 current ops and future expansion. Would QF have another option other than NJS to crew the rumoured east coast ops.

Ron. I never bother with those Mickey Mouse jets! Glorified Metro's if you ask me! ;) I once stood in the doorway of the CRJ when it came in & could see clearly over the roof!

Jets? :*Bah! and if my Granny had wheels she'd be a wagon!


;)

Interesting at the moment to see so much discussion about the embraer verses q400, 146 etc. Working with Flybe, we operate all 3 types and all take on different roles within the regional market. They are in no way competition with other. Q400 is excellent at what it does. very quick and efficient at taking half empty sectors 1 to 2 hours flight time. passengers perception of props still needs to be educated but if the price is right they dont really care. As for the embraer...only positive things all round to say about this aircraft. A fantastic bit of kit which sits perfect for the 100/110 seat market. personally i can see alot of q400 and embraer 170/190 in the regional industry world wide. you only have to look at the growing order books. Australia and NZ growing regional market seems the ideal environment from these refreshing aircraft as opposed to boeing/airbus.

Just some thoughts, currentely working with these types!

Recently noticed a 717 at Richmond painted up in QLink colours aswell. I remember when QLink (Impulse) was running the 717s up and down the east coast prior to JQ... seemed to be one of the most popular domestic aircraft in the QF fleet with more legroom than any of the others??? Also understand it was Qantas' most profitable aircraft fleet wide! Although at this stage I'm yet to be convinced that that was due to aircraft operating characteristics vs. employee remuneration characteristics!:E

The plane operated by American was the Fokker 100. They used the service out of Love Field to crush a new start airline called Legend Airlines. As soon as Legend was gone, there was no more reason to operate the service.

The only 717s in AA's fleet were taken over when AA got control of TWA. 6 of those 717 headed to Australia to join the QantasLink fleet.

D'oh - you are right alangarvin.

It was indeed the F100 that AA ran in there. Similar but differenter too! Sorry bout that - brain fade. Never post after a long game of Texas Holdem with your son and his mates. I was 3rd last out.:sad:

1830 - all 3 types have their rightful place and are the 300ZX's of their particular genre compared to such beasties as the 146 and ARJ family.

Where the Q300/400 and the Embraer equipment tend to fall down is locker space. The Aussie market is cargo/sporting equipment/baggage hungry and the 717 is the only one in the league apart from the no longer built F100/F70 family that can lift significant extra payload over a reasonable distance.

The only problem with the ex Impulse equipment is that despite the performance parameters of the aeroplane, they were certified on an el cheapo basis (or possibly ordered that way-I am not sure) but the aeroplane with mods/recertification is capable of much more.

I cannot agree more with Buster regarding the CRJ. Bizjet on steroids. Mate of mine - "dribbler" who is still at DPO Airport working for QF ground handling showed me the rear locker during an airshow there. That was when he was with KD. We could see them going overhead here id DPO at times. First thing that leapt to mind was "poor little aeroplane - shouldn't be made to go way up there".

Best all

EWL

HOSS / CUNNING

Correct, YQF is in QF colours and will be re-registered NXK. My understanding that this is to replace some other 717. Apparently 3 are to be replaced.

Is NJS the planned operator of these eastern-based 71's?

Cheers.

media release from Qantas - 1 more 717 for PER basing. Others for east coast perhaps???

QantasLink to Increase Regional Capacity with Expanded Boeing 717 Fleet
Sydney, 21 March 2007

QantasLink today announced that it would expand its Boeing 717-200 fleet from eight to 11 aircraft as part of a renewed operating agreement with National Jet Systems (NJS).

Qantas Group General Manager Regional Airlines, Mr Narendra Kumar, said the move would increase QantasLink's total jet and turboprop fleet to 49 aircraft and allow it to increase frequency and capacity on a number of key regional routes in Western Australia, Northern Territory and north Queensland.

"This is an exciting development for QantasLink that will increase our jet aircraft capacity by nearly 40 per cent and reinforce our commitment to investing in and growing the Qantas Group's regional operations," Mr Kumar said.

"To be based in Perth, the first of the three additional 115-seat aircraft will commence operation in August 2007. Route options for the other two aircraft, which will enter service in October 2007, are still being assessed.

"QantasLink entered into an agreement with NJS in 2005 to operate the airline's B717 services, and we are pleased that this partnership will be extended by five years and include the operation of these three additional aircraft," he said.

Mr Kumar said that as well as allowing QantasLink to increase regional capacity and services, the new aircraft would also provide 122 additional employment opportunities for the airline industry.

"The three new aircraft will require the services of an additional 39 pilots, 59 cabin crew and 24 engineers," he said.

Mr Kumar said NJS had provided pilots, cabin crew and aircraft maintenance engineers for Qantas' regional jet operations for more than 15 years.

He said QantasLink was also commencing a program with NJS and Rolls-Royce to increase B717 engine thrust from 18,500 lbs to 21,000 lbs per engine, which will improve passenger-carrying performance in the hot conditions encountered at some ports across the airline's network.

QantasLink currently operates around 2,000 flights each week, serving 49 destinations across Australia.


Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (3551)
Email: [email protected]