QF Aircraft Gap
 

Does anyone have any inside info on wether QF will be using some sort of a stop gap measure in the absence of the 380. It seems that as the wait increases, surely they will need to fill the gap with a lease arrangement on more 74's or 330's. The slot arrangements that QF have managed to aquire lately, namely LHR and HK surely will go to waste if the company dosn't have the aircraft.

Maybe other airlines have the same problem. SQ is rumoured to have sold a lot of aircraft in anticipation of delivery of their 380s.

Well theres excess 330 crew (in anticipation of the beast) and the delays are airbus' work, so one would assume the sensible solution would be some cheaply (airbus special) leased 330s to free up some 744 capacity which could be used in the extra slots. That would prove the cheaper option of any I reckon.

Hot rumour direct from QF top brass is that they WILL be bringing back into service the 747 currently parked at Longreach together with another 707 as back-up, as soon as it arrives and gets a nice red and white paint job. Negotiations are also well advanced with a Mr J Travolta for his plane, since it is already painted in more or less the right colours.and has a QF qualified crew member. EADS will be footing the bill on a dry lease arrangement. negotiations to acquire two further DC3's currently residing at a BK museum are continuing.

There were some sitting around at Avalon a while ago.

You're dead wrong Wheeler. They're gonna be crewed by Jetstar! :rolleyes:

What about requisitioning HARS' Connie and Catalinas? And the RAAF has just pensioned-off its last HS748 - and might be pursuaded to rent out some of its 707 time... Then there are LJH's BBJs!!

But seriously, I thought some noises had been made (after the delay announcement in July) about leasing some A330s until the Dugongs arrived - I seem to recall the number five being bandied about?

If that's the case, then next questions: where is Airbus going to suddenly dig up a load of 330s from (since it won't just be the Rat needing the extra capacity) and what will the subsequent glut of 330/340 airframes on the market do to the residual value prospects of that line? Looooong-term, expensive problems...

hmm.. it would make sense to delay the launch of Jetstar international and keep the 330s for extra mainline capacity (including the 4 extra ordered for both).

more or less,
yeah there usually is at least one 74 at avalon whenever i pass it. i heards its cos q dont have enough engines for all the 742 and 743's they've got.
would q have sold tickets for A380 flights and thus be scrounging up other aircraft? or is it just projected loss of earnings, with no flights booked in future as of yet?
fill me in.
lockie

I thought Q had retired their last 742 to Longreach a few moons ago. :8

Ring Ring...

Little Johnny: Oh gday Geoff. Thanks for the case of red the other night.

Geoff: No problems Johnny. Hey can you do me a favour?

Little Johnny: Sure mate, what is it this time? Singa's bothering you again? Maybe EK or ANZ.. No. Couldn't be Ansett? Nah.. Oil prices? SARS, Osama? What is it this time?

Geoff: No none of them. It's the frogs. Those blo#dy idiots have stuffed us around again. This white elephant is delayed for the second time. I need some extra planes.

Little Johnny: Oh, struth, not those frogs.

Geoff: You know Johnny, these fuel surchages are making me flithy rich. Have you seen my bonus lately.. Anyway, these planes. I need more Aussie suckers on seats so that my bonus keeps getting bigger. Can you help me out mate?

Little Johnny: Sure mate, no worries Geoff. Hmmm.... I think our RAAF boys used to fly civil ops. Maybe a little rusty though. How bout them.

Geoff: Hmm.. ok. Can I use those AWA's.

Little Johnny: Sure mate... after all you helped me out with those. Doing blo#dy wonders for the economy. Will even chuck in some ration packs for catering.

Geoff: Thanks old mate. I can sell them for $50 each. Mmmm... bonus!

Little Johnny: Just send me another case of your finest Geoff..

Clunk..

QF don't have any 742s, last one retired in '02, its a museum now in Longreach. The 743 with no engines at AV is retired, not because of lack of available engines, its not airworthy and too expensive to restore to airworthiness (got a shyte load of airframe hours). No tickets would have been sold but planning implementation of the aircraft, which includes getting slots etc has been all buggered up.

Little Johnny:
Hey Geoff that was clever putting that 102 million penalty Airbus owe you guys into last financial years figures. Just think, it adds 102 mill to the profit yet you actually haven't got a cent out of Airbus. Probably won't ever eh? Cleveeeer Geoffy boy.

Great way to boost that bonus old fella. Geez Geoff we could do with you at the treasury as an advisor. With an election coming up in 12 months we need to pull the wool over the peasants eyes.

Tell me again, how do you justify those fuel surcharges in a falling oil market? You guys are great! It certainly stuffs up those travel agents commissions.

Our treasury guys need to get the finger out and talk to you blokes.

Anyway if you think of anything new give me a ring. Enjoying the red.

This is the airline business, mate. 'Sense' has little place in this caper. :ugh:

Didn't management "use" the airbus payout to payout all the flight attendants who took "the package".
over subscribed and then some I'm told.
Was that get out whilst the going was good?