Virgin Australia Regional bids farewell to the A320

After 13 years of service, Virgin Australia has bid farewell to the Airbus A320.

Introduced into the Virgin Australia fleet in 2013 through the formation of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA), the type has become a familiar sight across Western Australia, supporting both regional and resources-sector operations.

With fleet renewal well underway, the final two A320s were planned to be retired by mid-June 2026, bringing an end to the airline's Airbus narrowbody era. Their departure marks the close of a significant chapter in Virgin Australia's history as the carrier transitions to newer Boeing 737 and Embraer E190-E2

The below Embraer E190-E2 was captured in Brisbane on the 31st of May as a stopover on its way to Perth.  

The last two Airbus A320-232's where

VH-VND (MSN 3296) and VH-VNP (MSN 2952)

VND performed its last flight last night from West Angelas (WNP) to Perth (PER)

VH-VND was delivered new in November 2007 and entered service with Tigerair Australia.

Following Tigerair's closure in 2020, VH-VND was stored for a period of time at Alice Springs Airport Aircraft Graveyard in 2021. 

In March 2023, the aircraft left the  graveyard for Jakarta for maintenance and reactivation work. After several months of maintenance and test flights, the aircraft returned to  Australia and was transferred into the Virgin Australia fleet.

VNP also performed its last flight last night from Boolgeeda (OSM) to Perth (PER)

In November 2006 VNP started its life as 9V-TAH and flew for Tiger Airways Singapore. On the 15th of November 2010 it started its life with Tiger Airways Australia as VH-VNP, then when Tiger Air ceased operations on the 25th of March 2020 the aircraft moved to Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA).

Looking back on Air India Flight 171

AIR INDIA BOEING 787-8 VT-ANZ (MSN 36297)

An Air India aircraft traveling from Ahmedabad (AMD/VAAH) to London's Gatwick (LGW/EGKK) has crashed in India's western city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat shortly after take-off.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time. The ADS-B transponder of the aircraft reported an altitude of 625 feet before the connection was lost. The crash took place in the early afternoon during routine takeoff procedures. Eyewitnesses from the Meghani Nagar area reported hearing multiple explosions, followed by thick plumes of smoke visible from nearby locations, including Dharpur

Flight AI171 was reported to have 242 people on board.

In a statement, Air India said: "At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest."

India’s aviation minister said the authorities are on “highest alert” and that rescue teams have been mobilised. He also expressed his shock and devastation at the crash.

“I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X, adding that all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support were being rushed to the site.

The country’s aviation regulator said the aircraft fell just after departure on the ground outside the airport perimeter. The director general of the directorate of civil aviation told The Associated Press that the plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off.

At least 242 people were on board the flight, local police said in an update, without confirming any fatalities. Footage taken near the crash site, located in a civilian area near the airport, showed thick plumes of smoke and debris on fire.

Aircraft flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said the plane involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and signal was lost at 625 feet, less than a minute after take-off.

According to Aviation Safety Network, the Dreamliner has a very strong safety record, with no hull losses and no fatalities since entering service.

Aircraft Information: 

Airline: Air India

Code: AI/AIC

Aircraft: Boeing 787-8

Registration: VT-ANB

Serial Number: 36279

Engines: 2 x GEnx-1B

First Flew: 14/12/2013

Age: 11.5 Years

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO FAMILIES AND FREINDS OF EVERYONE INVOLVED AND THE STAFF OF AIR INDIA.

Celebrating 50,000 subscribers for OPN

Aviation enthusiasts may know that Brisbane boasts two fantastic aviation streams. 

Julia Flights streams mainly on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 6:00 am (20:00 Zulu) to around midday (02:00 Zulu), with the occasional pop-up stream. Recently they performed an Australian first in YouTube aviation streaming, by streaming Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane live all in the one live show. 

The other is Only Planes Network (OPN), which streams on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday nights from around 5:00 pm (07:00 Zulu) to about 9:00 pm (11:00 Zulu). 

About five weeks ago, OPN hit 50,000 subscribers, and to celebrate this milestone, they held a special event last Friday at the Brisbane Airport IBIS hotel. My wife, daughter, and I were among the 147 guests who joined in the celebration. 

There were many guests who travelled from far north Queensland, Tasmania and even New Zealand. There were games, raffles and a goodie bag.

Both channels have streamed from international locations as well. 

Below are the links for both streams. 

Julia Flights - YouTube

Only Planes Network - YouTube

BRISBANE AIRPORT IBIS HOTEL

SKY LOUNGE - WHERE THE CELBRATIONS TOOK PLACE

LEVEL 9 - WHERE JAMES USALLY STREAMS FROM

THE GREAT WHITE

YOUTUBE STREAMERS WHO ATTENDED HAD THEIR NAME ON THIS SHIRT

THE FAMOUS CAROLYN

JAMES (L) MATTY (R)

ONE OF THE GAMES WE PLAYED ON THE NIGHT

HAND MADE DOOKA DOOKA'S BY MATTY

We had such a fantastic time and enjoyed ourselves so much that I forgot to take more photos of the celebration than I did. My family and I stayed at the IBIS hotel for the night, and when-time permits, I’ll be posting aircraft photos from Friday afternoon from our room and Friday night from the party terrace, as well as Saturday morning from the room. So please keep checking back in.

Looking back on Trans Australia Airlines Flight 538

TRANS AUSTRALIAN AIRLINES FOKKER F 27 VH-TFF (MSN 10121)

WAS ALSO REGESTERED AS: N1036U; F-GAOT; OO-SVM; F-WKPX.

On the 10th of June 1960, a Fokker Friendship passenger aircraft operated by Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) was on approach at night to land at Mackay airport in Queensland, Australia when it crashed into the sea. All 29 people on board Trans Australia Airlines Flight 538 were killed.

The Fokker F-27 aircraft was on a regular passenger flight from Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) to Mackay (MKY/YBMK) via Maryborough (MBH/YMYB) and Rockhampton (ROK/YBRK). The aircraft departed Brisbane at 17:11 and arrived at Maryborough at 17:52. It then took off at 18:12 on the next portion of the trip to Rockhampton where it landed without incident one hour later. Just prior to the landing at Rockhampton, the aircraft was advised of a special weather report which indicated shallow ground fog at Mackay to a height of 20 ft with a visibility of 880 yd, and also that an alternate aerodrome would be required for the rest of the flight.

The flight departed Rockhampton at 19:52. On departure the air traffic controller at Mackay was advised that the expected flight time to Mackay was 52 minutes at an altitude of 13000 ft, that Townsville had been selected as the alternate. It was advised that Mackay Airport was closed to landings at that time, and the situation remained the same when the aircraft reached the point at which it would normally have commenced its descent to Mackay. The captain indicated that he would continue the flight at 13000 ft and would hold over Mackay at that altitude. At 20:45 the ATC Officer advised the pilot that visibility was fluctuating between 2 and 2-1/2 miles along runway 14/32. 

The pilot replied that the airport lighting, the city area, and the surrounding country could be clearly seen, but that a belt of fog extending about 10 miles was situated to the southwest of the airport and was moving in a slightly northeasterly direction across the airport. The pilot then requested landing instructions. The aircraft was cleared to make a visual approach with a view to landing on runway 14. He reported on final approach, and at 20:55 the aircraft was cleared to land.

As the aircraft approached close to the runway threshold at a height of about 50ft, the pilot advised that a small patch of fog had suddenly appeared on the approach to the runway. It then flew along the runway at a height of approximately 50 ft and commenced to climb away. The pilot advised that he would look at the approach to runway 32.

The ATC Officer next observed the aircraft descending to approach runway 32. It reached a height of approximately 200 ft, but before crossing the threshold it began to climb along the line of the runway, and the pilot requested permission to hold over Mackay at 5000 ft until an improvement in the weather occurred. This procedure was approved. The aircraft continued to hold over Mackay until about 22:00. At approximately 22:02 the ATC Officer noted the conditions improved rapidly and visibility was continually improving. When the aircraft was thus informed, it replied: "Roger tower, will commence let down to approach on runway 32". The aircraft was cleared for a visual approach and was given the wind (calm) and QNH (1019 mb) and was asked to report on final approach. Nothing more was heard from the flight. During the approach the airplane contacted the sea and crashed, some 12 km short of the runway.


Aircraft Information:
Airline: TAA (Trans Australian Airlines)
Code: TN/TAA
Aircraft: Fokker F-27 Friendship 100
Registration: VH-TFB
Serial Number: 10112
First Flew: 26/02/1959
Age: 1 Year 4 Mts

Other Information: 

Entered onto the Dutch Aircraft Register as PH-FAH on the 19th of February 1959
First flew as PH-FAH on the 26th of February 1959

Cancelled from the Dutch Aircraft Register on the 6th of April 1959
Accepted by Trans-Australia Airlines at Amsterdam (Schiphol) on the same day.

The Trans Australia Airlines crash is the second-worst air accident in Australia behind the 1950 Australian National Airways Douglas DC-4 crash, with 29 fatalities.

Gulfstream G200 crashes at La Roma International Airport

A private jet, travelling from La Romana International Airport (LRM/MDLR) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, TX (AUS/KAUS, has exploded into huge fireball during crash landing in the Dominican Republic.

A pilot and copilot are believed to have been the sole occupants. Video footage has emerged of the plane crash landing at the airport.

Authorities confirmed on Sunday, local time, the Gulfstream G200 had crashed at the La Roma International Airport, about 130km east of the capital Santo Domingo.

“According to preliminary reports, the aircraft declared a May Day call when it was about 16 nautical miles southwest of La Roma,” the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (DICA) said.

“It rushed back to La Roma International Airport immediately.”

DICA confirmed a pilot and copilot were on board at the time and it had not received any news of other passengers.

Footage of it landing back at the airport showed the private jet skidding and bounding along a section of grass separating tarmacs.

It then slammed into the ground and appears to have burst its fuel tank, sparking a massive fireball.


Aircraft Information:

Owner/ Operator: Aibonito Aviation LLC

Aircraft: Gulfstream G200 

Registration: N318JF

Serial Number: 093

Engines: P&W Canada PW306A Turbo-fan

First Flew: January 2004

Age: 22 Years

Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.

Two new start-up airlines for Australia

Canberra Airport could become a destination for one of two proposed start-up airlines looking to break into Australia’s highly competitive domestic aviation market.

The possibility follows the collapse of low-cost carrier Bonza, which had previously flagged plans to serve Canberra before entering administration and ceasing operations before any flights to the national capital could commence.

One of the new contenders is Koala Airlines, which has been actively promoting its proposed operations through online marketing campaigns, including mock-up images showing a Boeing 737 flying over Canberra. Chief executive Bill Astling previously indicated that the airline hoped to launch services later this year, subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and finalising its route network. However, there have been no significant public updates on the airline’s progress or launch timetable in recent months.

Another aspiring entrant, Zinc Airlines, has also outlined ambitious plans to enter the domestic market. The carrier is proposing an ultra-low-cost business model inspired by European budget airline Ryanair, claiming its fares could be lower than those currently offered by established low-cost operators such as Jetstar.

Zinc’s initial network plans focus on routes linking Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with operations centred on the new Western Sydney Airport. Canberra does not feature in the airline’s proposed launch network, and no commencement date has been announced.

Under its longer-term expansion strategy, however, Zinc has indicated it would look to add additional destinations after approximately four years of operation, including Adelaide and the Gold Coast.

At present, neither Koala Airlines nor Zinc Airlines has secured approval to operate commercial passenger services in Australia. Both projects remain subject to regulatory approvals, commercial viability, and the many challenges associated with launching a new airline in an intensely competitive market.

Australia’s aviation history is littered with start-up carriers that began with great promise but ultimately failed to survive.

While the odds are undoubtedly challenging, I sincerely wish both Koala Airlines and Zinc Airlines every success as they work towards bringing greater competition and choice to Australian travellers.

Fake boarding pass helped United stowaway clear TSA

A man has attempted to fly from Houston (IAH/KIAH) to Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) without a valid ticket by tailgating past a distracted United Airlines gate agent and boarding the aircraft with a fake boarding pass.

The incident on United Airlines flight UA 469 ended when the crew discovered the man had no seat on the full flight, forcing the aircraft to return to the gate, where federal authorities and an explosives detection team responded.

The man cleared TSA at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport despite an initial problem with his boarding pass. Officers then escorted him to a separate TSA kiosk and then allowed him through security.

He then moved through the terminal and spoke with United Airlines employees at gate C35. His first boarding attempt came at gate E16, where he tried to scan a boarding pass twice. Both scans failed. He argued with a United Airlines employee and was turned away.

About an hour later, the man arrived at gate D4. He paced near the gate and watched staff scan boarding passes for the Los Angeles flight. When agents were busy with other passengers, he pretended to show a boarding pass and walked down the jetway onto the aircraft

The man sat in an aisle seat after boarding. The woman seated next to him said he appeared unsure whether the seat belonged to him. He left for the lavatory and returned about 15 minutes later.

By then, the correct passenger occupied the seat he had taken. He moved to another lavatory as the plane started to taxi. A passenger alerted a flight attendant, and the crew told the man to return to his seat. Instead, he hid in another lavatory at the back of the aircraft.

When the crew confronted him, he gave the name “Mr. Lopez.” He asked to sit in a jump seat because the flight was full. The crew checked the manifest and found no passenger named Lopez. The aircraft then returned to the gate.

Authorities met the aircraft at the gate. The response included the Houston Police Department, an explosives detection K9 unit, the FBI, the airport authority, and TSA. All passengers were deplaned, and crews checked the aircraft for explosives.

During questioning, the man gave his real name and date of birth. He showed a United Airlines confirmation number and a boarding pass. Investigators found that he had made a reservation, but it was never paid for. They described the boarding pass as possibly fake, noting missing information and a forged QR code.

The man was arrested and charged with his offences.