Tokyo Haneda slot - how will Virgin Operate it?

[jakeseven7]

So is the bet MEL gets a Haneda service from QF?? Hoping!!

 

[yachty]

Genuine question: if they aren't running the route daily, does this risk jeopardising the future of the slot? It's not VA's problem at this point, but that daytime Haneda slot is allocated specifically for Australian airlines on a "use it or lose it" basis.

Interesting thought. The IASC determination does say they are required to "fully utilise" the traffic allocation (one flight per day). Practically though, it would be unlikely to try and remove... I can't recall any recent occasions where a traffic allocation was revoked for frequency changes, especially when the route has already been cancelled.

So is the bet MEL gets a Haneda service from QF?? Hoping!!

That was the original plan so hopefully yes

 

[Himeno]

So is the bet MEL gets a Haneda service from QF?? Hoping!!

IASC would have to determine that VA is in breach of the requirements (likely with QF prodding) and give VA a chance to correct the issue. After that, IASC would then strip the slot from VA and QF would have to apply for it as normal. IASC isn't just going to gift it to QF without an application.

MEL-HND is what QF said they would do if they got both day slots when they were first applied for in 2019, so that is the likely result, though things could have changed.
There's always the possibility that they work out the HND A380 issues, move SYD-HND to an A380 using the night slots, and have BNE and MEL each with a day slot.

Commission-initiated review
8. The Commission may, at any time, conduct a review of a determination if it
believes that there may be grounds for varying, suspending or revoking the
determination. Section 23 of the Act lists these grounds, as follows:
(a) a term or condition of the determination has been breached; or
(b) due to a change of circumstances, a breach of a term or condition will occur; or
(c) the relevant Australian carrier no longer intends to use the capacity.
9. Before deciding to review a determination, the Commission will inform the
carrier to whom capacity has been allocated of the matters of concern to the Commission
and invite the carrier to show cause as to why a review should not be carried out. The
carrier will generally be given 10 working days within which to respond.
10. Having considered the carrier’s response, the Commission will decide whether to
proceed with a review and will notify the carrier accordingly.
11. If the Commission has decided to conduct a review, it will publish on its website a
notice of its decision to review the determination

https://www.iasc.gov.au/sites/defau...es-for-review-of-a-determination-20211220.pdf

 

[Himeno]

Interesting thought. The IASC determination does say they are required to "fully utilise" the traffic allocation (one flight per day). Practically though, it would be unlikely to try and remove... I can't recall any recent occasions where a traffic allocation was revoked for frequency changes, especially when the route has already been cancelled.

Unless they are DL and playing games with the slot like they were with their PDX-HND flight. DOT ended up stripping that slot from DL and reassigning it to AA.

 

[QF WP]

So from September until the end of services in February next year, VA will only run this route 4-6 times per week.

Genuine question: if they aren't running the route daily, does this risk jeopardising the future of the slot? It's not VA's problem at this point, but that daytime Haneda slot is allocated specifically for Australian airlines on a "use it or lose it" basis.

Is there any specific dates that the flights have been pulled, or was the days pulled relative to low loads (so different days each week)? I could understand that certain days may have lower loads but I would expect December/January (school holidays) to be higher.

at the ready for further developments.

 

[Harrison_133]

Is there any specific dates that the flights have been pulled, or was the days pulled relative to low loads (so different days each week)? I could understand that certain days may have lower loads but I would expect December/January (school holidays) to be higher.

at the ready for further developments.

Until 3 Sep: Daily
4 Sep - 8 Oct: 4 weekly (no flights Mon/Wed/Fri)
9 Oct - 23 Oct: 6 weekly (no flights Wed)
24 Oct - 4 Nov: 5 weekly (no flights Mon/Wed)
5 Nov - 11 Nov: 6 weekly (no flights Mon)
From 12 Nov: Daily

Source: Virgin Australia Reduces Tokyo Service From Sep 2024; Suspension From Feb 2025 — AeroRoutes

 

[PERLHR]

Until 3 Sep: Daily
4 Sep - 8 Oct: 4 weekly (no flights Mon/Wed/Fri)
9 Oct - 23 Oct: 6 weekly (no flights Wed)
24 Oct - 4 Nov: 5 weekly (no flights Mon/Wed)
5 Nov - 11 Nov: 6 weekly (no flights Mon)
From 12 Nov: Daily

Source: Virgin Australia Reduces Tokyo Service From Sep 2024; Suspension From Feb 2025 — AeroRoutes

So we assume that the other days are consolidating pax booked on the non flying days presently or being "popped" onto ANA flights?

 

[MooTime]

So we assume that the other days are consolidating pax booked on the non flying days presently or being "popped" onto ANA flights?

Either way, but they'd still have the passenger restriction due to distance /weight.
So guess the lucky ones upgraded to ANA aslong as that suits those individuals.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

So we assume that the other days are consolidating pax booked on the non flying days presently or being "popped" onto ANA flights?

Could it possibly be moving the MAX onto other routes, pending arrival of the other frames?

 

[PERLHR]

Could it possibly be moving the MAX onto other routes, pending arrival of the other frames?

Perhaps there will be more Max's on the SYD or MEL runs to PER!

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Perhaps there will be more Max's on the SYD or MEL runs to PER!

I was thinking more the DPS runs, but

 

[jase05]

I was thinking more the DPS runs, but

I think they want them on profitable routes

 

[Himeno]

I think they want them on profitable routes

ADL-HBA?

 

[PERLHR]

I think they want them on profitable routes

Not sure if VA bean counters actually understand what profitable routes actually are....

 

[SCM]

Those ANA load factors are not too hot either. I wonder how many Star Alliance pax fly to Japan via Singapore?

I guess now most of those VA pax will go to ANA and they'll benefit the most.

What's weird is, if ANA peaks at around 80, why are there no reward flights to be found in Jan/Feb.

 

[jase05]

I guess now most of those VA pax will go to ANA and they'll benefit the most.

What's weird is, if ANA peaks at around 80, why are there no reward flights to be found in Jan/Feb.

NH release awards about a fortnight out for J it seems and I’ve found that VA has far more availability than other partners. J seats available nearly every day in both directions

 

[dbrt]

NH release awards about a fortnight out for J it seems and I’ve found that VA has far more availability than other partners. J seats available nearly every day in both directions

I managed to snag an NH J rewards fare 8 months out (booked 24 November for flying 23 July), 78,000 points + $91.28.

The flight was empty a couple of nights ago. Business would have been lucky to be 50% (only me and one other in the minicabin), premium economy had 3/14, and economy was so empty that every passenger had their own set of 3 seats with some spare. Honestly, wish I'd have just flown economy and had a lie-flat bed back there, especially given service in J was a bit average.

 

[neils2004]

Eight hours on a 737 ?
No thanks.

 

[AVV]

Virgin Australia to end its daily Cairns-Tokyo service due to reduced inbound visitors from Japan post COVID

Virgin Australia will cease operating its once daily flight between Cairns and Tokyo, Haneda from 24 February 2025.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

Great. It did not deserve Haneda and Virgin are to me a budget carrier except the fares. Jetstar do a much better job. Give the slot to JQ.

I dislike Virgin now as there is no inflight service on domestic flts .

This was not the Virgin with red 737 and you got what you paid for.

I have foregone what FF points I had.

 

[MooTime]

Great. It did not deserve Haneda and Virgin are to me a budget carrier except the fares. Jetstar do a much better job. Give the slot to JQ.

I dislike Virgin now as there is no inflight service on domestic flts .

This was not the Virgin with red 737 and you got what you paid for.

I have foregone what FF points I had.

Always was and still is inflight service....

Oh you mean to the useless full of sugar quarter size museli bars you'd get for free are gone now, phew good riddance.