Virgin Blue & Skywest alliance (inc DJ Propjets)

[Slats7]

Just announced on ASX - Virgin Blue & Skywest sign 10 year strategic alliance.


http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20110110/pdf/41w3df1l79dkrn.pdf

 

[markis10]

re: Virgin Blue & Skywest alliance (inc DJ Propjets)

What aircraft are they using, 18 new turbo props leaves a bit to the imagination. Glad to see one of my predictions came true (767s still make sense to me but I dont run an airline) LOL!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n/j-b-bringing-va-under-24143.html#post337892

 

[Nigelinoz]

re: Virgin Blue & Skywest alliance (inc DJ Propjets)

What aircraft are they using?

No indication in the article that I could find but if we are talking a fuel efficient turboprop then the NextGen Q400 that QF has on order would be a good choice I reckon.
Guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[markis10]

Slats7,

I have modified your title to reflect the propjet news as its quite significant given the tie up was announced back in June last year, hope you dont mind.

 

[Nigelinoz]

767s still make sense to me but I dont run an airline

I reckon QF would be happy to let them have a few 76's :!::mrgreen::mrgreen: but they'll have to wait till the 787's arrrive,by that time they would probably give them away for a few dollars and a Woolworths shop-a-docket.:mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

I reckon QF would be happy to let them have a few 76's :!::mrgreen::mrgreen: but they'll have to wait till the 787's arrrive,by that time they would probably give them away for a few dollars and a Woolworths shop-a-docket.:mrgreen:

Considering DJ run the same model as SQ by trying to keep the fleet age under 10 years I dont think the QF birds would be of the slightest interest, especially when new 767s are available in a short time frame, maybe the door is not closed yet. Its good to see the turboprops come online, as a regular traveller to ports serviced by QF only its easy to see the difference competition makes, good timing to with the WA regional routes being re-organized by March this year.

Its been rumored for a while that ATRs will be used, I would not be surprised given the issues with the Q400.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Considering DJ run the same model as SQ by trying to keep the fleet age under 10 years I dont think the QF birds would be of the slightest interest, especially when new 767s are available in a short time frame, maybe the door is not closed yet. Its good to see the turboprops come online, as a regular traveller to ports serviced by QF only its easy to see the difference competition makes, good timing to with the WA regional routes being re-ogranised by March this year.

Umm,I was being sarcastic, (and therefore slightly O/T)and suggesting that QF will likely be very happy to be able to pension off the 767's as soon as they have sufficent new aircraft to replace them.
I agree that it's good to see the benefits of competition in the domestic aviation marketplace.

 

[markis10]

Umm,I was being sarcastic,and suggesting that QF will likely be very happy to be able to pension off the 767's as soon as they have sufficent new aircraft to replace them.
I agree that it's good to see the benefits of competition in the domestic aviation marketplace.

I got the sarcasm but in case others did not wanted to point out DJ have a very active young fleet policy, some might also be surprised to hear that 767s are still made given the last few years its been all 787/a330 talk .

 

[Nigelinoz]

some might also be surprised to hear that 767s are still made

Yes indeed,and the 1,000th 767 is scheduled for delivery to ANA quite soon I think?.

 

[docjames]

The ship has sailed on 767s for DJ (I'd like to have seen 764s actually) given the purchase of the A330s. Expect more of those before any 767s.

They seem to have got close to the US model where smaller carriers "operate on behalf of" the trunk carrier. Although there are some differences with the structure of the deal.

 

[markis10]

I am not so sure the ship has sailed Doc, the 767 is magic on the golden triangle and capable of more cycles than an A330, more importantly its a mature product with a very good reliability record and firm delivery slots compared to the next gen alternates, throw in the fact that a lot of 767 LAME experience can be found in the DJ ranks and I seriously doubt its off the wishlist.

 

[dk4]

They seem to have got close to the US model where smaller carriers "operate on behalf of" the trunk carrier. Although there are some differences with the structure of the deal.

LOL like the SkyWest (USA) model for Delta (as Delta Connection).

Qantas even has its own version of this - Cobham - Airline Services

 

[docjames]

I am not so sure the ship has sailed Doc, the 767 is magic on the golden triangle and capable of more cycles than an A330, more importantly its a mature product with a very good reliability record and firm delivery slots compared to the next gen alternates, throw in the fact that a lot of 767 LAME experience can be found in the DJ ranks and I seriously doubt its off the wishlist.

So they'd have
- E190 (E170s are going)
- 737/738
- new props
- new A330s
- 777

Seems like adding the 767 to this list would be further messing up the fleet. Whilst I agree the 767 (again, my preference the 764) would be the way to go, it should have been bought in lieu of the A330s. The only way I can see the 767s coming are for the A330s to be on short term leases (what is the arrangment - i thought they were purchased from EK?) and be returned, but then they've wasted all that $$ on crew training etc. The 764 would have done all the routes required with 777s for the properly long haul routes. The advantage of the 764 would also have been rapid delivery time, along with probably the ability to negotiate a good price per frame. Holds 30 more pax and only 300nmi less range then the 763. Has 300 seats in two class. Still, they wouldnt be the first airline to run both 767 and 330

 

[markis10]

The A330s make sense on the long haul transcon, which is why they are being purchased, dont forget you also need to look at facilities, there are hardly a plethora of A330 pavement rated bays available at the ex Ansett terminals. As many have predicted before, DJ are very much walking in the steps of Ansett in so many ways!

I am glad on I am on the DJ wagon, it feels very much like the marketplace back in 1998 in so many ways, at least with the two full service airlines.

 

[oz_mark]

No indication in the article that I could find but if we are talking a fuel efficient turboprop then the NextGen Q400 that QF has on order would be a good choice I reckon.

That or the ATR-72.

Skywest current run a fleet of Focker-50's, but it sounds like it will be something new. Perhaps they haven't decided yet.

 

[Nigelinoz]

DJ are very much walking in the steps of Ansett in so many ways!

Personally I hope they don't end up like Ansett did.

 

[markis10]

That or the ATR-72.

Skywest current run a fleet of Focker-50's, but it sounds like it will be something new. Perhaps they haven't decided yet.

I suspect they have decided given they have a delivery date, ATR do have three undisclosed orders for the 600 model, two of which could be the 18.

 

[oz_mark]

I suspect they have decided given they have a delivery date, ATR do have three undisclosed orders for the 600 model, two of which could be the 18.

I have heard there is going to be a press conference about the Skywest arrangement sometime today, so hopefully some journo may pose the question!

 

[markis10]

I have heard there is going to be a press conference about the Skywest arrangement sometime today, so hopefully some journo may pose the question!

8PM Sydney time tonight, and apparently they are being leased through Capital Lease Aviation PLC which is associated with Skywests chairman, interesting given the company has 5 aircraft in total. Would seem the Q400 is preferred according to industry pundits, Bombardier had a years worth of orders for the Q400 on Nov 1 so I am finding it hard to see a mid year delivery if in fact that is the chosen aircraft.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

1) I thought that earning miles DJ miles on Skywest had been in place for a while now, like more than 6 months? I saw ads for it when l was living in WA.

2) Skywest do a bucket load of charter FIFO flights, like QF (National Jet) used to do with the BAe 146's. One scenario that ran through my mind was; if DJ do re-brand and get more planes, the older ones can be used for FIFO charter flights in WA. Many-a-times l have been on a Skywest Fokker 100 with 5 or less pax, potential to make a killing on FIFO charter services.