Virgin Blue orders more jets...but why???

[markis10]

Given that Dixon mentioned the age of the "Qantas Group" fleet, that 9.3 is including JQ and the regionals, JQ alone has an average age of 3.6 years for its 38 aircraft, Sunstate 3.8 years for its 18, throw that in with the 136 aircraft at 10.9 and it probably averages down to 9 years or so.

 

[Evan]

One other reason SQ has planes leave there fleet early is the govt depreciation allowance used to be i think 8 years now 12 years.... in Australia its 20 years as i am told.
So from a tax point of view Singapore can dispose sooner also.

In any case 20 years old planes and then move on is ok. What about all the old metal flying around in the USA !

E

 

[Nigelinoz]

What about all the old metal flying around in the USA !

Exactly,which is why I avoid domestic flying in the US.

 

[jakeseven7]

But it was removal of the oldest and introduction of brand new. Should reduce the average to below 9. But of course the other 137 aircraft have all aged by 6 months in that time .

It might have been quite a different number if the 787s had been delivered per the original schedule at the time they were ordered, even though destined for JQ they would have allowed a few old 767s to drop off the end of the QF register.

QF's long existing strategy to purchase new and hold for a long time means their average fleet age has always been a lot higher than airlines such as SQ that have a different fleet management strategy (buy new and turn over before major maintenance is due).

And DJ have been adding E-jets recently and after their aggressive expansion over the last 5 years which has resulted in what is really quite a young fleet for an airline.

interesting isnt it

i fly dj - alot... as well as qf and what i do notice is that dj's aircraft really do look alot older than they are - well according to what i have read here.

i think it may be the leather seats, some aircraft are quite worn and wrinkly - i think they show the plane up a bit more than cloth. i also guess dj's main market of leiusure and tourists bash their planes round a bit more

 

[JohnK]

Interesting decision to order more aircraft and discuss plans of expansion.

Didn't DJ reduce capacity on some routes and ground 5 aircraft recently?

 

[Evan]

Interesting decision to order more aircraft and discuss plans of expansion.

Didn't DJ reduce capacity on some routes and ground 5 aircraft recently?

Some of there early lease A/C are due in a reasonably short period of time.
Any plane that has lots of tourist type short hop traffic looks old very quickly. And leather is lasting longer than cloth.

Thats just something airlines need to budget to replace if they want there fleet to look nice.

E

 

[Platy]

Given that Dixon mentioned the age of the "Qantas Group" fleet, that 9.3 is including JQ and the regionals, JQ alone has an average age of 3.6 years for its 38 aircraft, Sunstate 3.8 years for its 18, throw that in with the 136 aircraft at 10.9 and it probably averages down to 9 years or so.

The average age of the fleet isn't the point. DJ have individual aircraft from their early days, which they might turn over in preference for new/newer aircraft. These aircraft might be something like 7 yrs old on a ten year lease. It is generally assumed there are savings in maintenance costs by turning assets over (just like many companies have a 40,000 km limit on vehicles) and there maybe greater depreciation benefits by having aircraft with higher declared value.

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting decision to order more aircraft and discuss plans of expansion.

It's not a new order, this is simply an announcement of how they are funding aircraft ordered a couple of years ago. The intent of the order at the time was that they would replace some of the older leased planes.

Some of there early lease A/C are due in a reasonably short period of time.
Any plane that has lots of tourist type short hop traffic looks old very quickly. And leather is lasting longer than cloth.

Thats just something airlines need to budget to replace if they want there fleet to look nice.

It was not that long ago that people were saying the QF domestic fleet was lookng a bit tatty, but since the new fabrics have been put on, seems to be less complaints on that front.

 

[pauly7]

It was not that long ago that people were saying the QF domestic fleet was lookng a bit tatty, but since the new fabrics have been put on, seems to be less complaints on that front.

I think this is a good point, the re-furbed aircraft basically look brand new, especially to the 'ignorant' flyer like my boss who commented on a 767 - 'This must be one of the new ones' with authority.... a new what...? 787?!

But the point is that I think DJ could benefit greatly as well from a similar refresh (and a switch to fabric - sorry couldn't resist!!)

 

[Platy]

I think this is a good point, the re-furbed aircraft basically look brand new, especially to the 'ignorant' flyer like my boss who commented on a 767 - 'This must be one of the new ones' with authority.... a new what...? 787?!

I was on one of the ageing BA 767s ("XC") the other day and it was good to see the internal refit...of course if you happen to visit the conveniences or galley area you realise it's still an ancient airframe...

Yes, you would have to be "ignorant" not to realise you were in an old aircraft with a makeover!

I guess QF have to do what they can to hide the fact the 787s (when they finally arrive) will be going firstly to Dwarf Vader's Deathstar fleet and not the premium full service product brand.

 

[Flashback]

I think this is a good point, the re-furbed aircraft basically look brand new, especially to the 'ignorant' flyer like my boss who commented on a 767 - 'This must be one of the new ones' with authority.... a new what...? 787?!

I was on one of the ageing BA 767s ("XC") the other day and it was good to see the internal refit...of course if you happen to visit the conveniences or galley area you realise it's still an ancient airframe...

Yes, you would have to be "ignorant" not to realise you were in an old aircraft with a makeover!

I guess QF have to do what they can to hide the fact the 787s (when they finally arrive) will be going firstly to Dwarf Vader's Deathstar fleet and not the premium full service product brand.

Yes, just recently on a MEL-SYD, Skoogle, straitman+1 and myself were on an ex-BA bird; while it had been refitted, we could easily tell it was old... the gaffa tape holding a panel together gave it away

 

[NM]

Yes, just recently on a MEL-SYD, Skoogle, straitman+1 and myself were on an ex-BA bird; while it had been refitted, we could easily tell it was old... the gaffa tape holding a panel together gave it away

And what is wrong with gaff tape? I use it for all sorts of repairs. Earlier this week my daughter's school uniform hem came unstitched and I was there ready with my trusty roll of gaff tape ... but Mrs NM still wanted to fix it the hard way with a needle and thread. There is just no pleasing some people. Just make sure you use the real stuff. The cheap look-alikes are no substitute for the Nashua stuff.

 

[Flashback]

And what is wrong with gaff tape? I use it for all sorts of repairs. Earlier this week my daughter's school uniform hem came unstitched and I was there ready with my trusty roll of gaff tape ... but Mrs NM still wanted to fix it the hard way with a needle and thread. There is just no pleasing some people. Just make sure you use the real stuff. The cheap look-alikes are no substitute for the Nashua stuff.

*places a snippet of Nashua gaffa tape over your mouth*

You're right, it does work! Problem solved!

 

[Nigelinoz]

The cheap look-alikes are no substitute for the Nashua stuff.

I thought Nashua used to make computers?

 

[Flashback]

I thought Nashua used to make computers?

You may be thinking of Nashuatec who made floppy disks.

 

[NM]

I thought Nashua used to make computers?

They make lots of stuff. But I am sure I keep then solvent through the purchase of their gaff tape (at $17 a roll its not cheap - but better than the list price )

 

[jakeseven7]

I was on one of the ageing BA 767s ("XC") the other day and it was good to see the internal refit...of course if you happen to visit the conveniences or galley area you realise it's still an ancient airframe...

Yes, you would have to be "ignorant" not to realise you were in an old aircraft with a makeover!

i wouldn't actually use the word ignorant actually - probably more oblivious! its good to remember the gen public who aren't obsessed like us probably do see a re-painted or refurbed 767 and think 'new'! i've heard the 'this is brand new' comment often on the 767's often too!