Decrease in HBA-MEL frequency and capacity

[vbroucek]

It looks that from mid February, VA is decreasing frequency and capacity on MEL-HBA-MEL route on Saturdays. The number of flights decreases from 5 to 3 and most of the flights are down from 738 to E90. Not happy!

 

[straitman]

It looks that from mid February, VA is decreasing frequency and capacity on MEL-HBA-MEL route on Saturdays. The number of flights decreases from 5 to 3 and most of the flights are down from 738 to E90. Not happy!

They 'probably' still run more seats than Qantas thought.

 

[Virgin Bart]

It looks that from mid February, VA is decreasing frequency and capacity on MEL-HBA-MEL route on Saturdays. The number of flights decreases from 5 to 3 and most of the flights are down from 738 to E90. Not happy!

Worring for any potential future lounge.

 

[777]

Is it only saturdays being cut back?

 

[docjames]

There will always be a seasonal component to Tasmania travel so more seats Oct-March, lesss April-Sept.

So not surprising and if demand isnt there.


FWIW we got the ~1510 back on a monday afternoon and it was 95% full (only the middles in row 3,4,5 were empty). The rest of the aircraft was nearly full (occasional empty seat right down the back).

 

[smatho10]

I was going to boo and hiss but a quick check of Saturday dates in May June and July show four flights with a 1940pm departure each time. It was only until recently the last flight Mel - HBA was at 1630pm... But that flight will be dropped. Not good for NTL-HBA although...

 

[Justinf]

Always one of the most expensive routes to fly.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Always one of the most expensive routes to fly.

HBA-MEL and vv?!

 

[serfty]

My flight in May simply changed to an E90.

 

[vbroucek]

That's interesting... On Saturdays, as far as I can see, there are three flights HBA->MEL and four MEL->HBA... Weird?

 

[docjames]

That's interesting... On Saturdays, as far as I can see, there are three flights HBA->MEL and four MEL->HBA... Weird?

Not necessarily - the "4th" aircraft either overnights or heads to another destination.

 

[vbroucek]

Not necessarily - the "4th" aircraft either overnights or heads to another destination.

I got that, but it is still interesting that the frequency and load differs in each way...

 

[vbroucek]

Hmmm... It's changing again... Random Saturdays:
22/02 - only three flights HBA-MEL
01/03 - four flights HBA-MEL
15/03 - five flights
29/03 - ditto
19/04 - four flights
03/05 - ditto
24/05 - ditto...

 

[day-heg]

Hmmm... It's changing again... Random Saturdays:
22/02 - only three flights HBA-MEL
01/03 - four flights HBA-MEL
15/03 - five flights
29/03 - ditto
19/04 - four flights
03/05 - ditto
24/05 - ditto...

I haven't checked the fixture lists, but is this possibly related to Hawthorne footy club playing in Hobart as I believe they do from time to time? And as the partner airline, VA laying on extra flights?

 

[Hvr]

I haven't checked the fixture lists, but is this possibly related to Hawthorne footy club playing in Hobart as I believe they do from time to time? And as the partner airline, VA laying on extra flights?

It would seem this is a classic Hawthorne effect outcome when the Hawthorn FC is playing.

 

[Isochronous]

Hmmm... It's changing again... Random Saturdays:
22/02 - only three flights HBA-MEL
01/03 - four flights HBA-MEL
15/03 - five flights
29/03 - ditto
19/04 - four flights
03/05 - ditto
24/05 - ditto...

Look VA network planning must be incompetent and OMG a route cut, VA must be doomed.

 

[Obzerva]

I haven't checked the fixture lists, but is this possibly related to Hawthorne footy club playing in Hobart as I believe they do from time to time? And as the partner airline, VA laying on extra flights?

I doubt it, Hawthorn plays in Launceston not Hobart.