What is up with Etihad's Australian operations?

[SCM]

Any idea of the wine list in the F lounge?

Sorry, didn't take a photo

However I do recall a couple tasting delicious.


For EY flights to Sydney, I think the most likely scenario might be switching to double 787-8 operations, which will come with newer seats, but yeh don't hold your breath.

 

[markis10]

I suspect EY would return more A380s to service if they could. I don’t think it was a coincidence that the 5th return occurred after work was done on VH-OQG and she returned to Sydney. There are still three QF A380s in AUH and given they are doing the MRO work on both their fleet and Qantas I suspect they’re stretched. Pity QF didn’t set themselves up to do the work themselves given their fleet size similarity to EY, then again they are not five hours flying time from Europe….

 

[Melburnian1]

I suspect EY would return more A380s to service if they could. I don’t think it was a coincidence that the 5th return occurred after work was done on VH-OQG and she returned to Sydney. There are still three QF A380s in AUH and given they are doing the MRO work on both their fleet and Qantas I suspect they’re stretched. Pity QF didn’t set themselves up to do the work themselves given their fleet size similarity to EY, then again they are not five hours flying time from Europe….

It's surprising this work couldn't have been done at the Avalon (Victoria) facilities.

Perrhaps (apart from a skilled labour shortage), labour costs in Oz being so much higher than in the Middle East was a deciding factor.

 

[markis10]

Qantas closed its AVV facility ten years ago, with hindsight probably shortsighted. As I watch aircraft like 737s leave HKG to come home empty and A380s doing the same from AUH and DRS I wonder how much that ferry flight could have sponsored a few local jobs, not to mention the cost to the environment at 8T of fossil fuel an hour. Meanwhile BNE has a facility that seems to be paying its way.

 

[Melburnian1]

Qantas closed its AVV facility ten years ago, with hindsight probably shortsighted.

Apologies for not remembering that!

 

[moa999]

A380s would also likely need new much larger hanger facilities.
Remember also QF has built a large 380/ 787 facility in LAX where most aircraft have a longish daytime layover enabling light/ medium maintenance due to the preferred flight times, which further reduces any local work.

 

[lovelystuff]

We actually flew business yeterday SYD to Abu Dhabi on the 777 and actually really enjoyed the experience.

 

[TMP]

We actually flew business yeterday SYD to Abu Dhabi on the 777 and actually really enjoyed the experience.

I had a better sleep on the 777 in J overnight MEL to AUH than on previous EY J flights in the 380 or 359 - but overall a tired cabin.

 

[Saab34]

Etihad is about to enter a new era of growth, quite a bit coming, seem likely that a new destination will be announced locally.

I can see PER or BNE coming back. Both are performing very strongly for the others so hard to say which one.

Etihad To Announce 30 New Network Points Before March | Aviation Week Network

Etihad Airways is planning to announce significant network expansion over the coming months as it prepares to take delivery of its first Airbus A321LR.

aviationweek.com

 

[SCM]

Seems like they are increasing flights to Sydney from 7 to 10 weekly from July - finally beginning to utilise their unused second slot. I wonder if that's possibly a response to the new government legislation about airlines slot-hoarding Sydney airport.... anyway, good news!

 

[jase05]

Seems like they are increasing flights to Sydney from 7 to 10 weekly from July - finally beginning to utilise their unused second slot. I wonder if that's possibly a response to the new government legislation about airlines slot-hoarding Sydney airport.... anyway, good news!

Let’s just hope the dreaded 777’s are finally pulled from Australia

 

[SCM]

Let’s just hope the dreaded 777’s are finally pulled from Australia

100%, I hope they do double 787 on the days they have 2 flights and one 350 on the days they have one flight. It's time for the 777 to go elsewhere.

 

[Saab34]

Two more A380s are coming back next year, Feb and July. They have already announced Singapore, they have said one more destination is coming, hopefully MEL or SYD is the other.