Virgin Australia cuts more flights

Just a week after announcing an additional one per cent cut in domestic capacity, Virgin Australia has revealed plans to further reduce its schedule by around 10 flights per week.

With fuel costs climbing, the airline says it’s making more changes to its network. The carrier explains that the cuts are meant to align supply with shifting demand.

“These changes are designed to ensure Virgin Australia is flying where demand is strongest and on routes that are commercially viable, while maintaining our commitment to regional communities,” Virgin Australia said in a statement.

The first route to be cut is the seasonal Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) to Alice Springs (ASP/YBAS) service, which will be “suspended indefinitely” starting the 14th of July 2026.

The Adelaide (ADL/YPAD) to Cairns (CNS/YBCS) route will follow on the 1st of August 2026. Impacted guests on both routes will be reaccommodated – via Adelaide for the Alice Springs service, and via Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne for the Cairns service.

Elsewhere, Virgin will shorten its seasonal Sydney (SYD/YSSY) - Darwin (DRW/YPDN) route to run from the 22nd of June to the 25th of October 2026, with affected guests reaccommodated on the same day via Brisbane or Melbourne. The route will resume in March 2027.

The Melbourne (MEL/YMML) - Ayers Rock (AYQ/YAYE) service will see three flights shrink to two per week from the 20th of August 2026, with impacted flyers rebooked via Brisbane or Melbourne within one to two days of travel.

“We recognise these changes will impact our guests, and all affected customers will be contacted directly and offered reaccommodation on the next available Virgin Australia service, which in most cases will be on the same day,” the airline stated. 

They went on to say; “A range of alternative options is also available, including alternate Virgin Australia flight options, a travel credit, or a refund.

“Demand remains strong across the rest of the Virgin Australia network, and we continue to focus on delivering great value fares to Australians.” 

Emirates and Qatar Airways have reduced A380 services on seven routes

Emirates and Qatar Airways have withdrawn their Airbus A380 services from a total of seven routes as the conflict in Iran continues to disrupt Gulf carrier networks. 

These changes have added to earlier disruptions, with Qatar Airways grounding its entire A380 fleet for April and May. Emirates has also cut its A380 flights by a third compared to last year, partly due to ongoing cabin reconfiguration work on its superjumbos.

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 E6-EEK (MSN 132)

In May, Emirates will suspend A380 flights from Dubai (DXB/OMDB) to Copenhagen (CPH/EKCH), Glasgow (GLA/EGPF), Osaka Kansai (KIX/RJBB), and Prague (PRG/LKPR). For now, only that month is affected, but the suspension will likely carry over into June.

Replacement aircraft differ by route. The Boeing 777-300ER will handle three of the four routes: a 328-seat version for Osaka, a 332-seat version for Glasgow, and a 360-seat version for Prague. All three feature four classes. Copenhagen is the exception. Emirates will deploy its three-class, 298-seat Airbus A350-900, the airline’s lowest-capacity widebody.

QATAR AIRWAYS AIRBUS A380-861 A7-APG (MSN 193)

Qatar Airways faces deeper cuts. With no A380 flights in April or May, the latest changes affect June through August.

The airline has removed superjumbo services from Doha (DOH/OTHH) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG/LFPG), Singapore (SIN/WSSS), and Sydney (SYD/YSSY). The 517-seat A380 is currently scheduled to return on these routes from the 16th of September.

The updated lineup includes the 354-seat Boeing 777-300ER for Paris CDG, while Singapore will have a mix of the 283-seat A350-900 and the 327-seat A350-1000. Sydney will be served by the 327-seat A350-1000. Qatar Airways will keep flying the A380 to London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) starting on the 16th of June, but now with twice-daily flights instead of once, running through July and August. 

Spotting from home and Brisbane Airport

Here are some photos that were taken on Friday from my home and then Saturday morning at the airport. 

I raced out early on Saturday because I wanted to see the Malaysian Airlines sporting the Manchester United livery. 

From home

AERO VODOCHODY L-39 VH-SIC (MSN 433144) 42 YEARS
NORTH AMERICAN P-51D MUSTANG VH-FST (MSN 45-11526)

INTERAIR CESSNA 172M SKYHAWK VH-DWE (MSN 17264267) 52 YEARS

FIJI AIRWAYS BOEING 737 MAX 8 DQ-FAD (MSN 64308)
FJ921 ARRIVING FROM NADI (NAN) 7 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFW (MSN 41037)
VA1211 ARRIVING FROM CANBERRA (CBR) 9 YEARS

AMERICAN CHAMPION SUPER DECATHLON VH-NQX (MSN 1016-2006) 20 YEARS

BASAIR PIPER SEMINOLE VH-BJC (MSN 4496409) 9 YEARS

BEECH 58 BARON VH-WRT (MSN TH-1664) 34 YEARS

CESSNA 172R SKYHAWK VH-AST (MSN 17280202) 29 YEARS

From the airport

GULF AIRCRAFT CESSNA CARAVAN VH-PYO (MSN 208B5595)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBK (MSN 945)
QF52 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 17 YEARS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-308T (MSN 318)
CZ381 ARRIVING FROM GUANGZHOU (CAN) 6 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-7K2 VH-NBV (MSN 39446)
VA1207 ARRIVING FROM CANBERRA (CBR) 14 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFW (MSN 41037)
VA382 ARRIVING FROM TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 9YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-YXS (MSN 5732)
JQ929 ARRIVING FROM CAIRNS (CNS) 12 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPH (695)
QF62 ARRIVING FROM TOKYO (NRT) 20 YEARS

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTL (MSN 1395)
MH135 ARRIVING FROM KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 13 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-XZQ (MSN 44227)
QF706 OFF TO CAIRNS (CNS) 10 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NNH (MSN 12513)
NZ141 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 11 MONTHS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OFV (MSN 11301)
JQ813 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 2 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNG (MSN 
QF119 OFF TO AUCKLAND (AKL) 7 YEARS

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A330-243 B-6537 (MSN 1262)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANGHAI (PVG) 14 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBD (MSN 313)
QF54 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 23 YEARS

SOLOMON AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SIB (MSN 2445)
IE701 OFF TO HONIARA (HIR) 20 YEARS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q400 VH-LQG (MSN 4376)
QLK320D OFF TO BUNDABERG (BDB) 14 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737 MAX 8 VH-8IA (MSN 65045)
VA387 OFF TO TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 2 YEARS

SOLOMON AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SAL (MSN 5566)
IE726 OFF TO LUGANVILLE (SON) 13 YEARS

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZLO (MSN 340B-382)
ZL9911 OFF TO COFFS HARBOUR (CFS) 30 YEARS

NAURU AIRLINES BOEING 737-3U3 VH-ONU (MSN 28732)
ON406 OFF TO HONIARA (HIR) 28 YEARS

KOREAN AIR BOEING 787-9 HL7207 (MSN 34816)
KE408 ARRIVING FROM SEOUL (ICN) 7 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NND (MSN 8629)
NZ272 OFF TO WELLINGTON (WLG) 7 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHJ (MSN 328)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 6 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKL (MSN 36238)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 10 YEARS

Looking back on Air Philippines Flight 541

Air Philippines Flight 541 was a scheduled domestic service from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL/RPLL) in Manila to Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO/RPMD) in Davao City. On the 19th of April 2000, the Boeing 737-2H4 crashed near Samal, Davao del Norte, during its approach, claiming the lives of all 124 passengers and 7 crew members.

The flight, operated by a Boeing 737-200, departed Manila at 05:21 and was due to arrive in Davao at approximately 06:45. It was conducting a route check for one captain, with another acting as Pilot Monitoring. The flight until the approach was without incident. During an ILS approach to runway 05, the crew was informed they would be following a Philippine Airlines flight 809, an Airbus A319. Upon breaking through the clouds, the A319 was visible on the runway. The Pilot Flying planned a 360° turn, but the Pilot Monitoring incorrectly communicated a right turn to ATC, deviating from the standard missed approach procedure which required a left turn to a 020° heading. The plane re-entered the clouds, attempting to navigate visually at a lower altitude in instrument conditions, rather than climbing to the mandatory 4000 feet.

Subsequently, the flight moved over Samal Island, requesting a VOR/DME approach for runway 23, which was approved by the controller. While aligning with the runway, the aircraft descended below the prescribed glide path, dropping to 570 feet instead of the expected 1500 feet. The aircraft then crashed into a coconut plantation on a hillside in Barangay San Isidro, broke apart, and ignited.

This crash is recorded as the most catastrophic aviation accident in the history of the Philippines and the third deadliest involving a Boeing 737-200.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air Philippine

Code:2P/GAP

Aircraft: Boeing 737-2H4

Registration: RP-C3010

Serial Number: 21447

Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A

First Flew: 19/01/1978

Age: 22.3 Years

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AS THEY REMEMBER LOVED ONES TODAY

Two 737's collided at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport

A SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 which had traveled from Leh- Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport (IXL/VILH) to Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL/VIDP) was involved in a ground accident with an Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8. The SpiceJet was taxiing when the aircraft struck the stationary Akasa Airplane, damaging both aircraft but causing no injuries. 

IMAGE TAKEN FROM FACEBOOK 

The incident occurred around 2:15 pm at Terminal 1 when SpiceJet flight SG-124 from Leh was taxiing to its stand and struck Akasa Air flight QP-1406, which had completed pushback for Hyderabad-Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD/VOHS). The impact damaged SpiceJet’s right winglet and Akasa’s left-hand horizontal stabiliser. Both planes were grounded, and all passengers and crew were safely disembarked, with Akasa arranging alternative travel for affected passengers.

This collision is the second such incident in just two months, after an Air India and IndiGo aircraft were involved in a minor ground collision at Mumbai airport in February. It also comes amid a spate of safety-related events at Delhi airport, including emergency landings, engine failures, and runway breaches over the past year. The recurrence of such incidents has amplified calls for stricter monitoring and adherence to aviation safety protocols.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has grounded the involved SpiceJet pilots and the air traffic controller pending investigation. 

Airline Information:

Airline: Akasa Air

Code: QP/AKJ

Registration: VT-YBA
Boeing 737 - Max 8
Serial Number 61289

Engines 2 x CFMI LEAP-1B
First Flew: 21/04/2022
Age 4 years

Airline Information:

Airline: SpiceJet

Code: SG/SEJ
Aircraft: Boeing 737-7GL

Registration: VT-SLB

Serial Number: 34760

Engines 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B20/3
First Flew: 02/08/2007
Age: 18.7 years

China Airlines damaged at Melbourne airport - looking like human error

A China Airlines Airbus A350-941 has been grounded at Melbourne Airport (MEL/YMML) after a jetbridge collision damaged its forward door.

CHINA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 B-18902 (MSN 057)

The aircraft had arrived as flight CI-57 from Taipei (TPE/RCTP) on Tuesday morning. The aircraft was empty at the time, and no injuries were reported. The aircraft had completed an overnight flight from Taipei and landed at Melbourne Airport around 10.30am Tuesday morning.

After all passengers and crew had safely deplaned, the aircraft remained parked at the gate with the forward left-hand door open and the jetbridge still attached. Shortly after arrival, the aircraft began to roll backward unexpectedly. With the jetbridge connected and the door open, the movement caused the door to strike the jetbridge.

The impact partially tore the door off its hinges, resulting in significant structural damage to the door assembly.

The exact cause of the rollback has not been officially confirmed. However, early indications suggest that wheel chocks may not have been properly positioned in front of and behind the aircraft’s tires. This allowed unintended movement while the aircraft was still secured to ground equipment.


Such incidents highlight the importance of strict adherence to ground handling procedures, especially during post-arrival operations.

The scheduled return service to Taipei on Tuesday night was cancelled immediately. Engineers are now assessing whether the damage is limited to the door or extends into the fuselage structure, which would significantly impact repair time.

Jetbridge incidents usually stem from human mistakes or mechanical issues. In this situation, the main suspected cause is improper aircraft securing procedures, though the investigation is still in progress.

As of today, the aircraft remains grounded in Melbourne awaiting repairs.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: China Airlines  
Code: CI/CAL
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Registration: B-18902
Serial Number: 057
Engines: 2 x RR Trent XWB-84
First Flew: 27th October 2016
Age: 9 Years 

Looking back on Southwest Airlines Flight 1380

Southwest Airlines Flight 1380, a Boeing 737-700, suffered a contained engine failure in its left engine after departing from New York–LaGuardia Airport (LGA/KLGA) heading to Dallas Love Field (DAL/KDAL) on the 17th of April 2018. The engine cowl broke apart, and the resulting fragments damaged the fuselage, shattered a cabin window, and caused an explosive decompression of the aircraft. Additional debris damaged the wing. The crew initiated an emergency descent and diverted to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL/KPHL). Sadly, one passenger was fatally injured after being partially ejected from the aircraft, and eight others sustained minor to serious injuries. 

The aircraft incurred significant damage.

At 11:03 AM (Eastern Daylight Time), the aircraft was at an altitude of 32,000 feet (9,800 meters) and ascending when the left engine exploded. Consequently, a significant portion of the engine inlet and cowling fragments detached. These fragments impacted the wing and fuselage, shattering a window at row 14 in the cabin, leading to an uncontrolled decompression of the aircraft.

This incident closely resembled an accident that occurred 20 months prior involving Southwest Airlines Flight 3472, which was operating the same type of aircraft and engines. Following the earlier incident, CFM, the engine manufacturer, issued a service directive for ultrasonic inspections of turbine fan blades with specific serial numbers, service cycles, or service time. However, Southwest did not inspect the engine that failed in this incident as it did not fall within the directive's specified parameters.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Southwest Airlines

Code: WN/SWA

Aircraft: Boeing 737-7H4

Registration: N772SW

Serial Number: 27880

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B24

First Flew: 26th June 2000

Age: 17 Years 10 Months