Impulse rumours!!!
 

The rumour network hasn't said much about Impulse since their move to Qantas but here are some rumours doing the rounds now. First the not so good rumours.

a. Impulse to close/reduce their B1900 base in Sydney, with some routes returning to Eastern.

b. Impulse has finally stopped recruiting due to (a) above and pilots not moving up onto the jet or to other companies.

c. Qantas B737's will replace the Impulse B717 into Maroochydore.

Now the good ones.

a. Impulse to expand their B717 fleet with onther 8-11 aircraft.

b. Impulse will be recruiting with the need for another 50-100 pilots if (a) is true.

c. Impulse to add new aircraft for their night freight operation with 1 or 2 1900C and a C208 on the way.

It all depends on who you talk to.

Whilst on Rumours, How are you guys going with getting some Industrial representation up and running? :)

[ 24 October 2001: Message edited by: Helmut Smoka ]

If the 717 fleet is to be doubled, and Maroochy dropped, where are the 717s going to be used, and when do they arrive?

Hobby 3: Like I said it all depends on who you talk to. If you talk to anyone from Qantas they will tell you the 1900's will be going and the 717 fleet will not be increased. If you talk to anyone from Impulse they will say more aircraft on the way.

Can anyone tell me who does the recruiting for impulse now. Any info would be welcome.

Oz_Junglejet

Most people that i've been talking to seem to believe that more 717's would be a more permanent solution for Qantas aircraft in NZ.
Very cost effective lean operation to compete with ANZ.

Have to agree the 1900's will not stay as QF passenger aircraft. He may keep them for his freight ops?
This rumour is very solid considering that the company has ordered more dash 8's.

Cheers
:p

Surmount,

Yes I agree the 717 would be a good solution for NZ. There are still many routes in OZ (mainly BA146) that they could replace.

I think Qantas will keep the 1900s because the routes they fly are not suited for a 36 seat aircraft such as the Dash 8.

In NSW the 1900s operate to TRE, GFN, NTL (these ports were J31 routes a few years back), COM (which really only makes money 4 months per year). To operate a Dash 8 to these towns (other than NTL) as a stand alone routes would lose money. You would have to fly a triangle service (such as Eastern did). ie SY - PMQ via TRE, SY - GFN via CH.
Its the same in QLD. The 1900s are flying the western routes that were once flown by FLight West J32s. They are also operating into MYB and HVB which were once Sunstate Shorts routes. I heard today that they may pick up another north-western route very soon.

Another rumour is Impulse may get a few 737-700's instead of more 717s.

Now that Qantas has plans to purchase 15 new narrow body and options on another 40, do they really need the Impulse B717 aircraft? What is stopping Qantas from deploying their 737-300 aircraft on routes that the B717 operate.

Why are the QF owned regionals interviewing so agressively at the moment?
Heard Eastern's have interviewed over 50 blokes.