VA BNE-POM changing to a Fokker 100

[Bagpuss]

I think 737 usage is at a premium currently as I was told recently they are getting another Tiger Airbus for VARA to take over more WA/SA flying.

A lot of expansion across the Tasman and Perth recently was wondering where it could all come from.

How long until Alliance take over BNE/CNS. QF are nearly all 717.

MAX arrives in 9 months. I understand the initial dozen are being used for Tiger fleet swap outs with Virgin’s older 73’s going over.

I’m hoping they bring forward the MAX-10 order (or part) as I expect it’s that which will fly domestic transcon with improved J class seat. 2022 seems about 2 years too far out.

 

[openseat]

Drifting OT now, but do you prefer flying into BUA or KIE? Some of my friends are from the south, but I want to see Buka as well. It's expensive whichever way I look at it, so was wondering which you prefer?

My trips were all based on Buka, so that is why I fly there. I've never flown to KIE. The old hands talk wistfully about the 60s and 70s on Bougainville, so I'd like to go there to see for myself. I could possibly end up in KIE around June for a trip. Not sure what to expect! Also I'm concerned about the outcome of the referendum in July on both the Bougainville and PNG sides. It also has implications for the western part of the Solomons where I also visit regularly.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I could possibly end up in KIE around June for a trip. Not sure what to expect!

Well if you do, can you advise back! I'm told the coast highway is actually in good condition, so I'm toying with the idea of doing a bike ride from Buka to Arawa. A friend of mine has a guest haus on the coast around Arawa somewhere and another has one along the south of the island (overlooking the Shortlands somewhere). Another friend of mine that I haven't seen for about 5 years was busy building a guest haus on his island in the Solomons (somewhere near Gizo). I helped him with some solar design and he was telling me there are plenty of skulls in the caves and the diving is fantastic. I'd love to catch up with him again one day, but that may never happen unfortunately, as I can't remember the name of his village, or even the name of his island (although he was a bikpela man there).

For the moment, Bougainville looks absolutely magic to me, but any kind of election in PNG has the very distinct ability to go pear shaped very quickly. I hope not this time as all parties seem to heading in similar directions at the moment. Here's a few pics I was given of my mates village near Awara. I can see myself fishing and snorkeling around there without too many worries!