Regional Destinations?

[RSD]

Any news from VA about expanding further into regional areas? I fly in and out of DPO usually as the last or first of three segments and only QF service DPO at the moment so I'm kind of stuck FF program wise and VA is starting to be more attractive!

 

[Jousams]

If I recall correctly a few months ago they put their regional expansion on hold for 6-8 months. So unlikely that there will be new regional routes anytime soon.

 

[markis10]

VA regional is on hold as far as expansion goes, due to regulatory issues, they actually have aircraft in country yet to do a revenue flight.

 

[RSD]

VA regional is on hold as far as expansion goes, due to regulatory issues, they actually have aircraft in country yet to do a revenue flight.

Can you elaborate a bit more on the regulatory issues Markis10? Shame to see aircraft sitting on the ground like that - are they turbo props similar to what QantasLink uses?

 

[bass_ke]

They use the ATR-72, I think I prefer the Dash 8 which qantas use.

 

[markis10]

Can you elaborate a bit more on the regulatory issues Markis10? Shame to see aircraft sitting on the ground like that - are they turbo props similar to what QantasLink uses?

They have had issues with compliance:

Virgin has grounded one brand new ATR-72 since September and is deferring the delivery (parking?) of 6 more new ATR-72 that were due to be delivered this year.

The airline has been in talks with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for months about improving procedures at Virgin Australia Regional Airlines. According to the report industry sources said CASA has not taken any administrative action against Virgin because it has volunteered to fix the issues.

http://www.afr.com/p/business/companies/virgin_puts_brakes_on_regional_arm_JhY9fFZUnobEeJ7AblSGIJ

 

[bass_ke]

My last VA ride from CBR - SYD

 

[RSD]

The link wouldn't open for me, but hopefully they can get whatever the problems are sorted out soon.

 

[samh004]

The link wouldn't open for me, but hopefully they can get whatever the problems are sorted out soon.

There's a space between the 7 and A that shouldn't be there, simply remove the space and it loads... but you need a subscription

Virgin puts brakes on regional arm

markis10, are they having problems with the ATR72-600?

 

[markis10]

The link wouldn't open for me, but hopefully they can get whatever the problems are sorted out soon.

Tassie will be the next area and should start in July.

 

[Justinf]

is there a market for Cairns-Townsville? Qantaslink has a monopoly on it. (will stand corrected if wrong)

 

[markis10]

is there a market for Cairns-Townsville? Qantaslink has a monopoly on it. (will stand corrected if wrong)

VA tried it with one service a day and dropped it, initially with eJets then an ATR. I have a feeling it would have worked with more frequency.

 

[Mak404matt]

VA tried it with one service a day and dropped it, initially with eJets then an ATR. I have a feeling it would have worked with more frequency.

I flew it once on the ATR and the load was good, but as we know 1 day is not a big enough sample, and high loads don't always equal profit.

 

[EuroFlyer]

Im on the same bird tomorrow to sydney. It will be my first propellor flight in Australia (here 6 years)
I had my flight booked for me so had no real choice.

View attachment 26746

My last VA ride from CBR - SYD

 

[Virgin Bart]

Tassie will be the next area and should start in July.

Any further details? DPO I guess?

 

[markis10]

Any further details? DPO I guess?

LST and MQL are the two for the Victorian based planes. Had my father asking about "those funny Virgin planes with propellers" on the weekend while he was visiting, he is from melbourne.

 

[Virgin Bart]

LST and MQL are the two for the Victorian based planes. Had my father asking about "those funny Virgin planes with propellers" on the weekend while he was visiting, he is from melbourne.

Haha he doesn't travel to BNE evidently!

Ah I see, I thought you meant new routes. Makes sense.

 

[RSD]

The identified problems at Skywest must be fairly deep-rooted if they decided to suspend the plan to sort it out over a six month period.

 

[bass_ke]

Im on the same bird tomorrow to sydney. It will be my first propellor flight in Australia (here 6 years)
I had my flight booked for me so had no real choice.

They're not terrible, I actually enjoy flying in smaller aircraft half of the time!

If you've not flown on these birds before bear in mind that they board from the rear only, you want the last row!




Not too bad for the short time you're usually onboard

 

[bass_ke]

And RSD, being born and raised on the Nw coast I too would love to see some variety, albeit into BWT!

I cut my teeth on Kendell Saab's!