Virgin Blue launch five new routes!!
 

A few odd-ball ones here, all daily E-jet services from April:

Canberra-Hobart
Canberra-Townsville
Townsville-Rocky
Townsville-Gold Coast
Townsville-Cairns

Didn't Tasair unsuccessfully attempt daily Hobart - Canberra - Hobart in a conquest not too long ago?

not trying to put down Tasair...but I think given a choice of C400 series or nothing, most would rather nothing. E-Jet on the other hand, I think it may just become popular.

Townsville to Rocky?? WTF? :8

Maybe Townsville to Can'tberra via Rocky?

The direct service would make the Dr happy when he has to go see his Girlfriend Julia in Cantberra! :} Save some miles on the FTDK!

The NQ stuff will probably be a milk run,me thinks.

Would there even be any time to service the customers on TSV/CNS on an ejet? and would TSV/CNS be coupled with ROK/TSV? So essentially an almost mirror of the Qlink milkrun of CNS/TSV/MKY/ROK/GLT/BNE.

From analysing the current Qlink offering on the 6 April compared to the Virginblue offering... although DJ(once daily) doesn't have the frequency yet that the dash offers (6 times a day, 0625, 1100, 1145, 1415, 1720 and 1835) I'm sure that once the DJ operation is up and running there will be alot of Qlink customers running to DJ very quickly. The average airfare that Qlink are offering is $180 oneway opposed to DJ at $80. The on time performance that DJ is renowed for will shine through hopefully and the choice of more than just an 'apple and water' will really turn the punters. Interesting times ahead, considering CNS/TSV is one of the most expensive routes (cost per km) on the network.

Dizzy, passengers used to get a brilliant cabin service back in the nineties on DC-9's, 737's & 727's between TSV & CNS. :ok:

Then why is VB almost bottom of the list for OTP on the BTRE statistics page with QLink near the top?

http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications...Nov%202008.pdf

VB has pretty much topped the cancellation rate too with almost a consistant 2.5%, doesn't sound like a vary reliable service level at all.

Dizzy

TL-CS in the E-jet would be no quicker than the Q400. In many cases I would think the Q400 would in fact be faster. It would be a little further than SY-CB but the Q400 ****s all over the E-jet on that sector.

So do we think that DJ will take some of the market share from one of the most profitable routes in the Qlink network?

Not when the gear of the Q400 collapses and closes SYD or CBR for hours :E

I find that hard to beleive ....:ugh:

The only reason that on some occasions the Q400 may get the jump on the SY-CB run - is the allocation of runways at SY - especially when using 34's - however if we compare apples to apples - lets use the 16's - then - lets have a look at that - the Ejet will **** all over the prop.:mad:

Same with RK-BN and SY-AY - the micro jet will - as you say "**** all over" the Q400 - but then again - maybe a little jealous ... if that is the case - why dont you go over and join VB and you too, can join the masses of Qlink pilots that have left to fly the micro jet:{

From those i have spoken to - the speeds in the Q400 v Ejet - well - how can we compare ... Jet v Prop - stuck at FL250 v mid FL300's, in the tops of the wx at Fl250 or over the wx in the FL300's/400'- oh well - what would i know .... as a punter - i would select a jet over a prop anyday ... :D

Next time you are out and about flying your turbo prop - take it head to head with the Ejet - and see how you end up.

I was watching the other day on the radar screen - an Ejet the other day v A320 - The 320 was at FL360 and the Ejet was at FL380 - the Ejet has 20kts on the 320 ...

But then again - those Q400 have jet like speeds - but dont forget you cant run the engines that hot now ... you have to back off the power ...

Why would I want to leave the Link and go to VB to fly a Jungle Jet. At least at the Link I can be pretty confident that I will still have a job in 12 months time.:E

Besides, if VB is so great, why do most who have made the switch in recent times wish they had stayed.

Back on thread now.....do those in the know think that the new routes (other than TL-CS) are a wise decision or do you think it is management being caught out with new deliveries and needing a place to put them? At least if the aircraft (and crews) are flying then they have a chance of making money.

I don't see what the comparison is. One is a jet that flying around at 40000 feet and the other one is a little turbo prop buzzing around at 20000 feet.

For all those ejet drivers out there, do you know what the breakeven factor is on the e170? Oh and also here's some FYI, although Qlink operate 5-6 flights a day between TSV and CNS, only one in 3 of them is a Q400, the others are Q300's. There are that many people who have commented the Q300's look tired and old.

Breakeven load on any aircraft is based on a number of different factors. For a low cost carrier this may require loads of 80%+ to turn a profit, on some regional runs (turboprop) profit has been achieved regularly on 60% loads. Profit per load will depend on the carriers CSK (cost per seat km) and their ability to charge per available seat, the more competition the less the tolerance for high fares and the greater loads required to break even. Flight crew would most likely not know what profit a flight is generating. If there is a high amount of subload a 100% load may not generate any profit on that sector at all.

I would imagine that the difference in block time for the e-jet vs the Q400 would not be noticeable on short sectors around 200nm, but the jet would consume far more fuel for its trouble.

As I'm one of the ex Link pilots who made the recent change to VB, I am very happy with the move and most of the ex Link guys I speak to also agree. How can we complain about getting a minimum of 11 days off per roster with the most I've had being 17 off and getting paid overtime when we do work a big roster.

With reference to speeds:
Dash 8-400: Climb 210ias reducing 5kts per 1000ft above 15000ft, Cruise: 345tas if doing the company thing, Descent 274ias above 10000ft then 235ias till 10nm.

Ejet: Climb 250ias till 10000ft then 290ias/.75, Cruise 450tas/.78, Descent 280ias/.78 till 10000ft then 250ias till about 13-15nm

It also depends on who is flying it as well.

Bring on the Townsville overnights. Brewery here we come.

I may and most probably be either misinformed or totally out of touch, but the new routes seem to be marketing hopefests. CBR ex and to Tas is a waste of time, and the Northern feeder routes - well let's see.

Is this the utilisation of Jungle Jets that were not required but had to be taken delivery of due to contracts? Hope not.

Whatever way you swing this, one thinks that DJ Shambles Planning may be clutching at straws.

Best all EWL

Spot on EWL. Regardless of the equipment used the objective of all businesses (airlines and otherwise) is to make a good profit for the owners in order to stay in business.

If demand for the service is weak and the cost of providing the service is expensive the likelihood of making that profit is questionable.

If there is a serious competitor offering a similar service over the same network at a cheaper cost and can price accordingly, then many many customers eventually choose the most convenient (frequent) and cheaper option. As always, time will tell.....