QF NB

Hello Kiwi Flyer, ZK-JNG will discontinue services around 2 DEC 2006 and ZK-JNO during January/February 2007.

Haven't heard if anymore 734s will be coming your way (at this stage), I certainly hope they will though - if not, the JC fleet will be a tad too small.

Cheers

Kiwi Flyer

Yes, unless more trans-tasman flights are shifting to Jetstar.

Blackcloud

Or they have gotten wind that the NZ-QF codeshare deal has been approved.
I wonder if NZ have been looking at using the A320 to some other places...

Aus_Mal

The Courier-Mail is today reporting that a 737 being converted into a freighter for Australian Air Express was "written off" during an accident during the conversion. I assume this is an ex-Jetconnect 737-300.

Does this mean that they will source another plane from the JetConnect NZ fleet?

BTW, the article is here: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...5-3102,00.html

QF NB

2 more 733s are scheduled to be transferred from the Jetconnect fleet for AaE freighter conversion - I believe the fleet was supposed to stand at 5 after all aircraft were complete.

I guess they may look at transferring further 734s across to Jetconnect and further 733s to AaE, although we'll just have to wait and see.

Not good

quazor

I'm happy to report that OEH is now equipped with AVOD. Worked flawlessly last trip ^

QF NB

Thanks quazor. I have updated the original post (#1).

AVOD - Updated Information

14F/64J/265Y: 8 out of 9 744s with this config. have AVOD (only VH-OEJ is AVODless...)
14F/50J/315Y: 10 out of 14 744s with this config. have AVOD
56J/356Y: 7 out of 8 744s with this config. have AVOD

24 of Qantas' 747-400s now feature AVOD, out of a fleet of 30

AVOD - Quick Reference Guide

Boeing 747-438
Boeing 747-4H6, -48E & -438E/R

DownUnder

One of the Qantas NZ (JetConnect) 737's had a broken windscreen today in CHCH which had to be replaced. Not sure which one but it wasnt JNB or JTP.

With the small number of aircraft on NZ domestic routes nowadays, this had a flow on effect, meaning delays to several flights.

Several weeks ago, JNG went mechanical which had the same result.

Its about time Qantas put more aircraft on NZ domestic routes !!

Kiwi Flyer

Geez jetconnect are having a run of problems lately. Fri, Sat and Sun all had at least 1 aircraft significantly delayed much of the day. I've been told a couple of aircraft have had urgent maintenance (unspecified reasons), one of which I could see them tinkering with parked outside the AKL QP the other day.

Blackcloud

I have been told there have been a number of incidences as well, hanger mishap was one.
Last week one 737-400 did not have operational thrust reversers, made for a long landing in WLG which I saw and later asked about.
Have Jetconnect retired another 737-300 lately. QF needs to put more aircraft into NZ but with delays to the A380, transfer of A330-200 to JQ etc I think they are stretched in OZ themselves. Also was one 747-300 due to be retired as well?

QF NB

QF 737-300 ZK-JNN developed a cracked windscreen during a flight from Auckland to Wellington yesterday and subsequently diverted to Christchurch (facilities to fix cracked windscreen only available here). Not sure how this affected Domestic NZ operations yesterday, but I would imagine with 1 aircraft down, it didn't help things.

Blackcloud, I believe ZK-JNO is still currently in maintenance at Melbourne and there is speculation that it may also return with 8J seats (this is noted in Post #1 of the fleet thread - under Jetconnect). In a situation like yesterday, with ZK-JNN down and -JNO in maintenance, the potential for long delays and problems is high!

ZK-JNG is due to be transferred to AVV and AaE when ZK-JNO returns from maintenance (according to QF it's tomorrow) but like with most things, this is subject to change.

The problem with New Zealand domestic services is that they make little if any money (perhaps none) and are generally there to provide a feeder service to Qantas' LAX flight, trans-Tasman, and codeshare flights with Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui and so on. With no new 737s due for delivery until FEB 2008, there isn't much Qantas can send over to NZ. Now you may say "What about those 6 717s in storage at Newcastle and Brisbane", but it is apparent National Jet Systems is recruiting possibly due to the fact they are taking on some or all of these aircraft in storage for Australian domestic operations.

717s would be lovely in New Zealand, but then you have a problem of introducing a new type of aircraft and the costs involved with that - you would have to train new pilots or hope that some 717 drivers would move to NZ to fly for Jetconnect. You get the picture...

Situations change daily, as do Qantas operations. It will be interesting to see changes to Jetconnect over the next 2 years!

Blackcloud, I was on QF 747-300 VH-EBT on Monday and heard from a Flight Engineer that -EBT is due for a "D" check very shortly and there is speculation Qantas may not bother with this, and just retire the old bird. You have to remember this is the oldest aircraft in the fleet, at around 22 years old!

Hope that helps!

Regards

Kiwi Flyer

Thanks for the update QF NB ^

Dang - JNG has business seats. Got a switcheroo to this a/c the other day.

serfty

ZK-JNN is back in service today.

Tomorrow ZK-JNO is scheduled to fly positioning flight QF6171 MEL-CHC and commence PAX services after 6pm.

ZK-JNG is still scheduled for operations tomorrow.

Blackcloud

Thanks for that QF NB it is a shame that QFNZ is just too small for it to be seriously competitive against NZ. I guess they do not want to use charter airlines, Airworks NZ or OzJet over here. I had hoped that QF would not transfer another aircraft for freighter conversion but was not one 737-300 written-off in the conversion process and as a freighter in OZ? It will probably make more money to QF than in NZ PAX operations.
Most people I have spoken to do avoid QF due to the constant problems with delayed or cancelled flights. I fly them for business, travel policy, but I manage to plan the meetings around potential delays for the most part.
If VH-EBT is due to for a "D" check then it will be parted out for sure, after QF legally maxes out the hours. Too expensive for a "D" check but I thought early last year they said the 747-300 would be around until 2012, of course before high fuel prices AND A380 delays. How many 747-300 do they need for PER ops and the stand-in for 747-400 flights?
717, I thought they were leased aircraft and that there some were headed overseas soon.

QF NB

serfty, appears ZK-JNO won't be arriving into NZ until later tonight (~12am).

Kiwi Flyer, ZK-JNG operates its last flight today, as QF4171 AKL-CHC. Can't confirm whether ZK-JNO has the J seats, so will need you to fly on her to to let me know, or I will need to wait to hear some more news at a later date.

Blackcloud, I've heard rumours of -EBU being made airworthy again and being flown to Longreach (Comes from -EBT's Captain on my flight on Monday). The retirement of VH-EBT would allow for parts such as engines to be salvaged and used to make -EBU airworthy again. It would seem pointless to spend money and resources on a "D" check wouldn't it?

747-300s cease flying to Honolulu after the Christmas rush in late-JAN to FEB and (IIRC) will only be flying PER domestic services and the odd charter or special flight (like covering 333s while in mx). A fleet of 3 747-300s would probably be more than enough. QF seem to be doing fine now with a reduced 743 fleet (743s ops with GA for Hajj currently).

717s may well be heading offshore soon, although, it's just interesting that NJS is seeking additional 717 drivers (could well be for other reasons!)

Cheers