Virgin to lose A330's and B777's - become mid range airline - really?

[Daver6]

I noticed VH-XFE is no longer next to the International terminal at Perth airport. I looked around and couldn't see it. There's nothing about it being able to succesffully take off. Any ideas? (Though I'm assuming it's moved and parked a bit more out of sight.)

It was there on Sunday 30th April at least

 

[Bagpuss]

It was there on Sunday 30th April at least

Wasn't on Friday 12th May.

 

[Bagpuss]

Noticed yesterday (24th September) VH-XFE was back in it's usual spot back at the international terminal.
Though, it appeared to have some stairs around the aircraft and it looked like engineers working on it.
All windows now appear to be uncovered / unprotected. So maybe, it's finally leaving.

 

[ThatMrBlake]

Noticed yesterday (24th September) VH-XFE was back in it's usual spot back at the international terminal.
Though, it appeared to have some stairs around the aircraft and it looked like engineers working on it.
All windows now appear to be uncovered / unprotected. So maybe, it's finally leaving.

Last I heard was it’s fixed enough that it can fly out but there is a dispute over the parking fees to be settled before she can leave.

 

[Carrots]

Last I heard was it’s fixed enough that it can fly out but there is a dispute over the parking fees to be settled before she can leave.

Perth airport and fees… never heard that story before

 

[Must...Fly!]

Noticed yesterday (24th September) VH-XFE was back in it's usual spot back at the international terminal.
Though, it appeared to have some stairs around the aircraft and it looked like engineers working on it.
All windows now appear to be uncovered / unprotected. So maybe, it's finally leaving.

It would be nice to see her in the sky again even if it's a one way trip.

 

[Saab34]

Where would they scrap it? Locally? Ie ASP? Not sure if I’d be overly comfortable flying such a lemon over water.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

They can fly it to XSP (Selatar) without pax, without pax might be the key wordings.
Or get specialized people and equipment to do it at PER itself, if its true that that plane will never fly again.
Have seen some VA 737s there, in some of other's youtube videos.
Would be impossible to take out out by road, eh?
We are told it never fly again tho, how sure, who knows.

 

[AIRwin]

They can fly it to XSP (Selatar) without pax, without pax might be the key wordings.

Can the runway handle A330?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

That would be nearest int airport that can handle the works, seeing that VA sends it 737s there for works.
But with the SIN govt being green minded, as in environmentally friendly, it just might/might just be a fuel stop, for the plane to go further, to its new owner's ideal resting spot.
Was it that EY's maintenance area used to do major works for VA at one time, too?
===
But who knows, they might decide to send the plane to Victorville.

 

[yachty]

That would be nearest int airport that can handle the works, seeing that VA sends it 737s there for works.
But with the SIN govt being green minded, as in environmentally friendly, it just might/might just be a fuel stop, for the plane to go further, to its new owner's ideal resting spot.
Was it that EY's maintenance area used to do major works for VA at one time, too?
===
But who knows, they might decide to send the plane to Victorville.

Where did SQ scrap their A380s, they did some at Changi right? That was probably a one-off thing during COVID though...

I don't think it'll get scrapped. It'll probably go to HAECO in HKG or XMN, or LH Technik in MNL, if it needs some intensive repair done (and not too far away). Could even end up with QF in BNE... will be interesting to see the future of this one.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Can the runway handle A330?

Yes the 330s went there for maintenance in the past.

It would be a big expense to have it repaired to fly it out to xx_ place just to be torn apart. Especially seeing as the airport wants it's slice of the pie as well. We obviously don't know the details but I wouldn't be surprised to see it back in service. Could be a solid candidate for a P2F conversion now I think about it.

 

[oz_mark]

Yes the 330s went there for maintenance in the past.

It would be a big expense to have it repaired to fly it out to xx_ place just to be torn apart. Especially seeing as the airport wants it's slice of the pie as well. We obviously don't know the details but I wouldn't be surprised to see it back in service. Could be a solid candidate for a P2F conversion now I think about it.

There have been rumours around of a return to service, but no concrete details.

 

[twinaisle]

There have been rumours around of a return to service, but no concrete details.

Virgin Australia won't see the 330 back in service right now.

 

[oz_mark]

Virgin Australia won't see the 330 back in service right now.

There are other A330 operators around.

 

[Saab34]

I’d be having a good hard look for any corrosion before signing up that bird.

Missed pretty much all maintenance checks for years, sat idle, damaged gear, certainly will need a bit of cash for anyone even willing to have a look. Interior looks pretty darn good though.

 

[Bagpuss]

VHXFE finally left Perth over the weekend. It's now in Muscat after flying via KL. Guess it could end up with Oman Air.

 

[Saab34]

VHXFE finally left Perth over the weekend. It's now in Muscat after flying via KL. Guess it could end up with Oman Air.

Pity VA didn’t renegotiate the A330 fleet on better terms and hold them. A small fleet of A330s alongside a solid 737 operation would still be efficient. Would enable HND, even NRT and BNE-LAX.

777s had to go and administration was a good chance to dispose of all that cost associated with them but the A330s should have remained, still had another decade on them. Anyway, too late now.

 

[Harrison_133]

VHXFE finally left Perth over the weekend. It's now in Muscat after flying via KL. Guess it could end up with Oman Air.

It’s going to a European operator apparently. Not sure which one exactly.

 

[Must...Fly!]

VHXFE finally left Perth over the weekend. It's now in Muscat after flying via KL. Guess it could end up with Oman Air.

I completely forgot to post, there were stairs and an engineering car pulled up to it last Wednesday at PER. There looked to be a fair bit of activity so I assumed it was going to be on the move fairly soon.

While it's nice to see it gets a second lease of life (if you excuse the pun) it's also sad. What a shame they left (but at least the airline is still here )