Saturday 31 August 2019

Happy 19th Birthday Virgin Australia


VIRGIN AUSTRALIA ATR 72-500 VH-FVM (CN 979)












IATA
ICAO
Callsign
VA
VOZ
VELOCITY

After the news a few days ago of Virgin Australia slashing 750 jobs I don't think they would be in the mood to celebrate, but Virgin Australia (ex Virgin Blue) has a birthday today.
Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd, commonly referred to as Virgin, is one of Australia's largest airlines, (behind Qantas) and it is the largest airline by fleet size to use the Virgin brand. It commenced services on 31 August 2000 as Virgin Blue, with two aircraft on a single route. 

VIRGIN BLUE B737-8FE VH-VUC (CN 34014)



















It suddenly found itself as a major airline in Australia's domestic market after the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001. The airline has since grown to directly serve 52 cities both domestically and internationally. Virgin Blue also owned airlines like Pacific Blue; Polynesian Blue and V Australia but now all operate under the name Virgin Australia.
The airline's head office is based here in Bowen Hills, Queensland. It was co-founded by British businessman Richard Branson (the founder of Virgin Group), and former CEO Brett Godfrey.
In 2011, the airline went through a massive transformation—the changing of their brand to Virgin Australia. This included the introduction of a new aircraft livery, new uniforms, and new on board menu options. New wide-body aircraft were acquired for use to compete with Qantas, and the roll-out of business class across all the Virgin Australia network. On 4 May 2011, the former Virgin Blue revealed its new name, Virgin Australia, as well as its new livery. 


VIRGIN AUSTRALIA A330-243 VH-XFC (CN 1293)

















In addition to the new name, branding and livery, the airline also showed off its new flagship the Airbus A330 with new domestic business class. Boeing 737 business class seating was also revealed, to be introduced on all of Virgin's jet aircraft by the end of 2011. Pacific Blue and V Australia were both folded into the new Virgin Australia brand.


Current fleet


Virgin Australia fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
J W Y Total
Airbus A330-200 6 20 255 275
ATR 72-600 12 68 68 Former Virgin Australia Regional Airlines aircraft
Boeing 737-700 2 8 120 128
Boeing 737-800 73 8 168 176 Fifteen registered to Virgin Australia International Airlines .
Some aircraft to be transferred to Tigerair Australia
Boeing 737 MAX 8 23
TBA
To be delivered from February 2025
Boeing 737 MAX 10 25 TBA To be delivered from July 2021
Boeing 777-300ER 5 37 24 278 339 All registered to Virgin Australia International Airlines
Total 98 48

Below is the break down of Virgin Australia owners

Nanshan Group (22.4%)
Etihad Airways (21%)
Singapore Airlines (19.8%)
HNA Group (13%)
Virgin Group (8%)






No comments:

Post a Comment