Virgin to lose A330's and B777's - become mid range airline - really?

[jb747]

Their 737 Max order... Very likely they'll want to chop/change/amend/reduce that (again), makes the 787 a good bargaining stick.

787 has its own issues...

 

[Saab34]

A350 or A330neo seems to be the weapons of choice, both seem very problem free.

Jetstar 787s are always breaking down. A350 seems like a very reliable machine, however does carry a price premium.

 

[Bagpuss]

There's a rumour that VH-XFE which is at Perth airport has a technical issue and most likely going to be scrapped for parts.

 

[Carrots]

There's a rumour that VH-XFE which is at Perth airport has a technical issue and most likely going to be scrapped for parts.

Assuming it holds true... a 9 year old bird and already dead. That's pretty terrible!

 

[BNEFlyer]

There's a rumour that VH-XFE which is at Perth airport has a technical issue and most likely going to be scrapped for parts.

I’ve heard this, it’s a major issue that’s not worth repairing (financially).

 

[HS-TQE]

Is it safe to guess that it would be cheaper for Bain to compensate XFE's owner/lessor for writing off that particular aircraft as opposed to spending money waiting for repairs it and putting it back into service.

 

[jb747]

I'd be interested to know what sort of issue would write it off. Its last flight is interesting, so there's obviously more to the story.

VH-XFE Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track VH-XFE flight from Perth Int'l to Perth Int'l

flightaware.com

 

[serfty]

I'd be interested to know what sort of issue would write it off. Its last flight is interesting, so there's obviously more to the story.

VH-XFE Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track VH-XFE flight from Perth Int'l to Perth Int'l

flightaware.com

If the scheduled times are any guide, the actual flight time was 3½ hours less than had been planned.

 

[henrus]

If the scheduled times are any guide, the actual flight time was 3½ hours less than had been planned.

VA552 should have been a Perth to Sydney hence it's showing that it was less than scheduled.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I’ve heard this, it’s a major issue that’s not worth repairing (financially).

Wow. That's quite something. Speculating internally as to what on earth it could be. Wonder if a co-incidence, or linked to long term storage

 

[BNEFlyer]

Wow. That's quite something. Speculating internally as to what on earth it could be. Wonder if a co-incidence, or linked to long term storage

I don't work for VA but I've been told what the issue is, not sure if it's commercially sensitive though so I'm not going to say explicitly, but it's not related to being in storage.

 

[serfty]

VA552 should have been a Perth to Sydney hence it's showing that it was less than scheduled.

Not obvious from the Flightware page. It was a scheduled 3½ flight time though, so that's about right.

 

[Must...Fly!]

After a decent amount of time looking around the Google machine (my skills may need improving), seems the rumours are that the landing gear has significant issues and needs replacement. I guess it's a matter of coming up with the money to replace it, but the lessors would need to know they could get some return on that investment.

I imagine having a team to do it would be the other issue due to all the COVID restrictions. Let alone getting it somewhere suitable to be done.

 

[UP4014]

I don't work for VA but I've been told what the issue is, not sure if it's commercially sensitive though so I'm not going to say explicitly, but it's not related to being in storage.

If you don't work there and been told and don't know if sensitive, I would say it's not sensitive.

 

[BNEFlyer]

If you don't work there and been told and don't know if sensitive, I would say it's not sensitive.

Fair.

After a decent amount of time looking around the Google machine (my skills may need improving), seems the rumours are that the landing gear has significant issues and needs replacement. I guess it's a matter of coming up with the money to replace it, but the lessors would need to know they could get some return on that investment.

I imagine having a team to do it would be the other issue due to all the COVID restrictions. Let alone getting it somewhere suitable to be done.

It's not coming up with the money, it's that it's not worth repairing. And it can't be flown anywhere to get repaired.

 

[jakeseven7]

If you don't work there and been told and don't know if sensitive, I would say it's not sensitive.

There’s some nasty rumours ‘flying’ around about this plane that’s for sure!

I don't work for VA but I've been told what the issue is, not sure if it's commercially sensitive though so I'm not going to say explicitly, but it's not related to being in storage.

Wonder if we have heard the same rumour…!

 

[Carrots]

Stop being a couple of secretive nelly's and spill... given it's a "rumour", just tell all, or go away, please

 

[jb747]

Landing gear is why some QF 380s have been woken up and flown out of storage. But only to a place it can be done, and it isn't rocket science. Hard to believe you'd write off an A330 because of a fix that costs about $4 mill. Realistically, you need a hangar, some jacks and a few engineers.

 

[HS-TQE]

UMF Bank has sold ex-VH-VPF to Castlelake Aviation Leasing, and Castlelake has subsequently leased out VPF to none other than VA's new partner QR as VP-CKT (I'm assuming it'll be re-rego'd eventually).

VPF was seen as last flown from SIN to VCV. It has since been flown from VCV to DOH to be stored.

I'm assuming QR is leasing CX 77Ws and the ex-VA (VPF) 77W to replace the A350s at QR due to the ongoing QR/Airbus disputes.

At least one ex-VA 77W is at one of VA's new partners. Sadly VOZ (stuck in Russia) and VPE (last seen flying at an approved low altitude to VCV due to reported problems) are likely to be facing scrapping.

Edit: ex-VH-VOZ is now stored in AYT, Turkey as of a week ago.

 

[HS-TQE]

ex-VH-VPE has been rescued from the scrappers in VCV and bought by Castlelake Aviation Leasing from the financiers. ex-VPE has subsequently also been leased out to QR and was flown on a multistop from VCV to DOH for repairs before (assumably) refurbishing and re-entering service with QR.

So, VPF and now VPE will be returning to Australian shores at some point under QR colours and rego.