BNE- SIN possibly VA A330's first intl route?

[pmdg7444]

So......

Just some random searching and hypothesising from VA's website that I've come across:

Currently EY operates a daily EY473/470 that runs AUH - BNE -xSIN both ways. The schedule (and fares) are loaded into system for the NW13/14 season that runs until 30 March 2014 (last Sunday in March).

As you can see from below, fares are saleable for that season.




However, if I try to find anything AFTER 30 March, that EY flight is completely gone - on all days, right through Easter, May 2014, etc.


Similar searches on external OTAs eg expedia yields the same result, EY473/EY470 is gone for the NS14 season. Interesting the AUH- SIN - AUH legs aren't there as well.


So either EY is slow is loading their schedules ( unlikely as a random check on SYD- AUH flights for May 2014 brings up the usual EY 451/455) , or are about to announce a route withdrawal (hope not).


...........or could this be the catalyst for a possible VA replacement using their own A330s?


I guess we'll find out shortly enough.

 

[Clivem]

That is interesting ....... I think this service would, pardon the pun ....... 'take off'
The VA / LAX 777 out of BNE is good and well thought of ..... I think it would be a similar winner to SIN with the A330 ......
Also flew in 'J' on the A330 - flight / Service / was extremely good - 'Tess' the flight attendant was outstanding - that lady should be running the VA crew train courses hands down!

 

[eastwest101]

Seems to be a plausible guess at the moment. A lot of people pooh pooh the idea of VA operating the A330's from Australia to SIN given that their partner SQ already has such good coverage and product to many ports in Australia, it is not known if those A330's will be going anywhere except domestic routes but from a network, partner (SQ and EY) and logistical crewing and maintenence perspective you would think that either BNE-SIN or possibly PER-SIN would be logical..... just my opinion though.

 

[Lowjhg]

The rumor PER-SIN-PER on VA has had been making rounds around domestic cabin crew, especially those on the 332 service

 

[markis10]

The rumor PER-SIN-PER on VA has had been making rounds around domestic cabin crew, especially those on the 332 service

Would make more sense given the opportunity vs competition (and upsetting partners).

 

[williamsf1]

The rumor PER-SIN-PER on VA has had been making rounds around domestic cabin crew, especially those on the 332 service

Another one floating around is PER AUH ….

Cannot find the post, however it was mentioned that the newer a332 will be configured international with a crew rest. ( not exactly needed on a SIN PER flight)

EY have used all of their allocation of flights into AU ( yes they can apply for more) and EK almost “own” Perth to Europe.

VA are also investing into WA ( recent take over of Sky West)

 

[docjames]

Is there any EY AUH-SIN-AUH bookable?

Hypothesis being link-up in SIN? AS opposed to VA doing BNE-SIN-AUH vv.

 

[smit0847]

The rumor PER-SIN-PER on VA has had been making rounds around domestic cabin crew, especially those on the 332 service

Don't SQ already do 4 x daily services? Do they really need a 5th?

BNE-SIN to take over EY has been the strongest rumour for quite some time.

I personally don't know why they don't try 332s to HKT, DPS and NAN. This seems logical to me.

 

[docjames]

Is there any EY AUH-SIN-AUH bookable?

No nonstop avail post Mar 31st.

Connect to MH in KUL.

Wonder if it just hasnt been loaded (ie. are we all reading too much into it?)

 

[markis10]

Wonder if it just hasnt been loaded (ie. are we all reading too much into it?)

Probably, its cutover for NS14 timetable.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Etihad aren't the most organised of the lot, it must be said

 

[markis10]

Etihad are going to double daily A330 KUL services soon, if that works perhaps VA could feed into that.

 

[soorox]

I personally don't know why they don't try 332s to HKT, DPS and NAN. This seems logical to me.

I guess VA could give some serious competition to both GA & JQ to DPS by using their A332's, but I would really love to see VA open up MEL-NRT, MEL-ICN, MEL-TPE, go into an underserved and untapped market, I'm sure these routes won't bother SQ too much

 

[smit0847]

I guess VA could give some serious competition to both GA & JQ to DPS by using their A332's, but I would really love to see VA open up MEL-NRT, MEL-ICN, MEL-TPE, go into an underserved and untapped market, I'm sure these routes won't bother SQ too much

SQ run a tight connecting MEL-SIN-HND 330 overnight service which would be competition as it's the same hard product in J.

VA of course would be different to the SQ A380 'all the way' of MEL-SIN-NRT.

I really don't think SIN needs more flights when they are so many other markets not properly serviced. Surely a 4-times weekly SYD-DPS over summer would be a good test?

 

[Fruitcake]

I really don't think SIN needs more flights when they are so many other markets not properly serviced. Surely a 4-times weekly SYD-DPS over summer would be a good test?

It would certainly be a good test of why premium-heavy aircraft configurations are unsuitable for O&D leisure routes, in my view.

Having said that GA does of course have a very low-density A330 on the route but their crewing costs are probably a lot lower.

 

[dreamweaver2611]

I spoke to the EY Sales Manager for Qld the other day regarding this and although the schedules ex Mel and ex Syd have been released there is a delay in the release of the schedule ex Bne. She said they will hopefully be releasing this within the next few weeks. I dont believe VA will be operating A330's on the BNE-SIN route.

 

[jetlagger]

I spoke to the EY Sales Manager for Qld the other day regarding this and although the schedules ex Mel and ex Syd have been released there is a delay in the release of the schedule ex Bne. She said they will hopefully be releasing this within the next few weeks. I dont believe VA will be operating A330's on the BNE-SIN route.

Surely not when there appears to be an overcapacity on the existing BNE/SIN/BNE routing in addition to the limited premium market demand & apparent stagnant freight loads & yield.

 

[lukenet]

I do wish VA would operate the kangaroo route to LHR..

 

[The Rok]

I thought EY had rights for a further 7 flights out of AU?