Friday Spotting - Choose China

As you may be aware Etihad has several Boeing 787-9's painted up in the "Choose" livery.
I have 3 Choose liveries already and today "Choose Italy" came in so I went out to get this one.
This livery has come in before but I couldn't get out to get it before today. All I need now is Choose USA

ETIHAD B787-9 A6-BLH (CN 39653)
ARRIVING FROM ABU DHABI

SPORTING THE "CHOOSE ITALY" LIVERY

CHINA AIRLINES A350-941 B-18905 (CN 073)
ARRIVING FROM TAIPEI

QANTASLINK B717-2BL VH-YQW (CN 55194)
SPORTING THE "DISCOVER TASMANIA" LIVERY
ARRIVING FROM TOWNSVILLE

QANTAS B737-838 VH-VYJ (CN 34182)
ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q300 VH-TQY (CN 552)
ARRIVING FROM EMERALD

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA B737-8FE VH-VUA (CN 33997)
ARRIVING FROM ROCKHAMPTON

ROYAL FLYING DOCTORS BEECH SUPER KING AIR 350C
VH-FDF (CN FM-63)

SINGAPORE A350-941 9V-SHD (CN 278)
ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE

CORPORATE AIR FAIRCHILD SA-227 VH-VEK (CN DC-845B)

SOLOMONS A320-211 H4-BUS (CN 0302)
ARRIVING FROM HONIARA

TIGERAIR A320-232 VH-XUG (CN 6032)
ARRIVING FROM CANBERRA

JETSTAR A320-232 VH-VGA (CN 4899)
ARRIVING FROM NEWCASTLE

ALLIANCE FOKKER F28-MK 100 VH-UQB (CN 11483)
ARRIVING FROM MOUNT ISA



QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q400 VH-LQJ (CN 4414)
ARRIVING FROM HAMILTON ISLAND

AIR NEW ZEALAND A320-232 ZK-OJD (CN 2130)
ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND

AIR NEW ZEALAND A320-271NEO ZK-NHC (CN 8833)
ARRIVING FROM QUEENSTOWN



QANTASLINK B717-2BL VH-NXJ (CN 55166)
ARRIVING FROM CAIRNS

Remembering New Zealand Flight 901

Air New Zealand Flight 901 (TE-901) was a scheduled Air New Zealand Antarctic sightseeing flight that operated between 1977 and 1979. The flight would leave Auckland Airport at 8am, spend a few hours flying over the Antarctic continent, before returning to Auckland via Christchurch arriving in Christchurch at 7pm. It would sit on the ground in Christchurch for 45 minutes and then depart for Auckland, arriving there at 9pm. On the 28th November 1979, the fourteenth flight of TE-901, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, (registration ZK-NZP CN 46910), with 237 passengers and 20 crew on board, flew into Mount Erebus on Ross Island, Antarctica, killing all on board . The accident became known as the Mount Erebus disaster.  (Mount Erebus is the second-highest volcano in Antarctica (after Mount Sidley) and the southernmost active volcano on Earth. It is the sixth-highest ultra mountain on the continent. With a summit elevation of 3,794 metres (12,448 ft), it is located in the Ross Dependency on Ross Island, which is also home to three inactive volcanoes: Mount Terror, Mount Bird, and Mount Terra Nova. The initial investigation concluded the accident was caused by pilot error, but public outcry led to the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the crash. The commission concluded that the accident was caused by a correction made to the coordinates of the flight path the night before the disaster, coupled with a failure to inform the flight crew of the change, with the result that the aircraft, instead of being directed by computer down McMurdo Sound (as the crew had been led to believe), was instead re-routed to a path toward Mount Erebus. Justice Mahon's report accused Air New Zealand of presenting "an orchestrated litany of lies" and this led to changes in senior management at the airline. The Privy Council later ruled that the finding of a conspiracy was a breach of natural justice and not supported by the evidence. The accident is New Zealand's deadliest peacetime disaster, as well as the deadliest accident in the history of Air New Zealand.  ZK-NZP was the 182nd DC-10 to be built, and the fourth DC-10 to be serviced by Air New Zealand. The aircraft first flew on the 8th November and was handed over to the airline on the 12th December 1974 at McDonnell Douglas's Long Beach plant.



Nationalities of passengers and crew
The nationalities of the passengers and crew included:
Country        Passengers           Crew          Total
New Zealand       180                  20             200
Japan                     24                   -                24
United States         22                   -                22
United Kingdom     6                    -                   6
Canada                     2                    -                 2
Australia                 1                    -                  1
France                     1                    -                 1

1. Switzerland            1                   -                   1

Total                   237                  20              257

Jetstar's pilots to strike over Christmas

Australians planning to fly home for Christmas could see their plans disrupted as Jetstar pilots threaten to strike in mid-December.

JETSTAR B787-8 VH-VKA (CN 36227)         File Photo

You know its Christmas when airlines threaten to strike… if you are flying this Christmas and your thinking Jetstar, I would seriously reconsider.

Budget airline Jetstar could face disruptions over the busy Christmas period after pay negotiations with its pilots broke down. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots said last week it had applied to the Fair Work Commission to hold a vote among Jetstar pilots on taking protected industrial action. The proposed actions range from general work-to-rule (pilots not working outside of their rostered hours) to work stoppages of up to 24 hours, AFAP said. Jetstar is able to object to some forms of action with Fair Work today, before pilots vote on them. Jetstar and the union are at loggerheads over pay, with the airline saying it has proposed a 3 per cent annual wage rise but that the union wants a deal that would increase "pilot costs" by 15 per cent AFAP executive director Simon Lutton said the union was taking the step because its members were disappointed negotiations with Jetstar over a new enterprise agreement had stalled. “As negotiating with the company in good faith has got them nowhere, they have been left with no choice," Mr Lutton said. A Jetstar spokeswoman said it had been in constructive discussions about the new wage deal since January and remained committed to reaching an agreement, "but not at any cost". "There are many complex areas to discuss and working through the AFAP’s numerous claims and their many modifications takes time," she said. Mr Lutton said AFAP members, who make up the majority of Jetstar's pilots, were unhappy with salary and conditions, and concerned about how the airline's rostering practices affected pilot fatigue. Jetstar said captains on its fleet of narrow body jets earned $304,576 on average and first officers earned $184,260 last year, including superannuation and allowances. On larger aircraft which fly international routes, that went up to $323,274 and $234,516. The wage dispute comes at a time when Jetstar and its owner Qantas face pressure from falling demand, particularly among holidaymakers, who are choosing not to travel amid softening economic conditions. Jetstar's unit revenue - an industry figure used to measure passenger traffic - fell 2.6 per cent in the first quarter of the year.

Happy 12th Birthday Tigerair

IATA ICAO Call sign TT TGG TIGGOZ

Tiger Airways (Australia Pty Limited) commenced operating domestic flights in Australia on the 23rd November 2007 from its home base in Melbourne. On this day back in 2007 Tiger Airways Australia's first scheduled flight was TT 7402, which departed from Melbourne for the Gold Coast. The airline opened a second base in Sydney in July 2012 and a third base was opened in Brisbane in March 2014. Just days before the launch of Tiger Airways Australia, Jetstar (a low cost subsidiary of QANTAS) offered 5,000 seats on the 21st November 2007 for the price of five cents, inclusive of taxes, on seven domestic routes, costing the airline $25.00 per seat. In October 2012, Virgin Australia Holdings purchased 60% of Tiger Airways Australia from parent company Tiger Airways Holdings.

In July 2013 the airline re-branded from Tiger Airways

TIGER AIRWAYS A320-232 VH-VNG (CN 3674)

to Tigerair

TIGERAIR A320-232 VH-XUH (CN 6749)

and the joint venture between Tiger Airways Holdings and the Virgin Australia Group was launched. On the 17th October 2014 Virgin Australia purchase the remaining 40% so Tigerair Australia is now a fully owned subsidiary of Virgin Australia Holdings. Tigerair Australia operates 10 A320-232 and 5 B737-8FE to 12 destinations around Australia . In July last year Virgin Australia and Tigerair confirmed that the entire A320 fleet will be replaced with Boeing 737-800s by the end of 2019.

TIGERAIR B737-8FE VH-VUD (CN 34015)

As of October 2019, the Tigerair Australia fleet consists of the following aircraft: 

Tigerair Australia Fleet

Aircraft	In Service	Orders	Passengers	Notes
Airbus A320-200	10	—	180	All to be replaced by Boeing 737-800. Aircraft to be transferred to Virgin Australia's Regional Airlines.
Boeing 737-800	5	—	186	Aircraft transferred from Virgin Australia
Total	15

In July 2016, Tigerair Australia and its parent company (Virgin Australia) announced that the entire A320 fleet will be replaced with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The company slogan is "Go For It"

Airbus A320-200

10

—

180

All to be replaced by Boeing 737-800.
Aircraft to be transferred to Virgin Australia's Regional Airlines.

Boeing 737-800

5 

—

186

Aircraft transferred from Virgin Australia

Man posed as Lufthansa pilot to get free flights

A passenger has been arrested after attempting to impersonate a pilot to get a free flights.

The man claimed to be a pilot for Lufthansa while boarding an AirAsia flight at Delhi Airport, The Sun reported. According to the Times of India, he was caught wearing a Lufthansa pilot’s uniform and carried an identity card while travelling on an AirAsia flight in India. A source told the newspaper AirAsia contacted the local office for the German airline to confirm his credentials. “Lufthansa immediately sent its team to contact this person at Delhi Airport,” the source said. “When confronted by Lufthansa officials, the male person admitted to the impersonation.” Lufthansa staff  allegedly revealed he used the fake ID card several over the past six months after buying it in Bangkok. The man also said he used it to identify as a Lufthansa consultant before pretending to be an actual pilot. An AirAsia spokesperson told the Times of India: “The individual in question was impersonating as an employee of Lufthansa airlines. “He was handed over to the airport police, and an investigation has been ordered. “We would like to emphasise that we stand by all security policies and (until) the time the investigation is completed, we would be unable to provide specific details with regards to this.” The daring attempt mimics the 2002 film "Catch Me If You Can" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale*, who pretended to be a pilot on more than 250 flights in the 1960s. The prank has been attempted a number of other times as well.  A 32-year-old man attempted the same move with Lufthansa in 2012, while a 61-year-old French man also pretended to be a pilot on a US Airways flight in 2013.

Story sourced from here (but with additions)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/10379109/fake-pilot-lufthansa-free-flights/

*Abagnale impersonated a pilot to look more legitimate when cashing checks. He obtained a uniform by calling Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), telling the company that he was a pilot working for them who had lost his uniform while getting it cleaned at his hotel, and obtaining a new one with a fake employee ID number. He then forged a Federal Aviation Administration pilot's license. Pan Am estimated that between the ages of 16–18, Abagnale flew (as a passenger) more than 1,000,000 miles (1,600,000 km) on more than 250 flights and flew to 26 countries by deadheading.  As a teenager, he noticed that his hair was greying, which he parlayed into his pilot persona by giving the appearance of being older and having more professional credentials than he did.  As a company pilot, he was also able to stay at hotels free during this time. Expenses such as food or lodging were billed to the airline company. Notably, however, Abagnale did not fly on Pan Am planes, believing his charade could potentially be identified by real Pan Am pilots or employees who would be asked for genuine identification or proof of employment.  Abagnale stated that he was often invited by pilots to take the controls of the plane in-flight. On one occasion, he was offered the courtesy of flying at 30,000 ft (9,100 m). He took the controls and enabled the autopilot, "very much aware that I had been handed custody of 140 lives, my own included ... because I couldn't fly a kite."

Qantas is offering flights from London To Sydney for £205 Return

QANTAS B787-9 VH-ZNG (CN 36240)              File Photo

If you've always fancied a trip to Australia but been put off by the hefty price of flights, then have I got some good news for you? Qantas Airlines, the airline of Australia, is releasing 100 'Golden Tickets' with return flights to Heathrow costing just £205 ($389 Australian). Amazing, eh? The bargain economy flights from London Heathrow to Sydney are on sale to mark the 100 year anniversary of the airline.  But if you're keen to get your grubby mitts on the cheap flights you'll have to make sure you're ready, because only 20 of the 'Golden Tickets' go on sale each day and, of course, they're pretty popular.

                                                                                        File Photo

On the Qantas  website Qantas writes: "For 100 hours only, we'll be releasing 100 Golden Tickets. From midday each day, there'll be 20 Golden Tickets from London Heathrow to Sydney, for just £205 Economy return." The first batch went on sale at midday Tuesday 19th and sold out shortly after - so good luck.  Don't feel too downhearted if you miss out on the super cheap 'Golden Ticket' flights, though, as Qantas has still got some impressive savings, with flights to Melbourne, Sydney and Perth currently on sale for £699 ($1,330) return.  The sale comes just days after Qantas flew a 19-and-a-half-hour direct flight from London to Sydney - but don't worry, the Golden Ticket flights won't be so gruelling. VH-ZNJ performed that flight. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner sent out just 50 members of staff and some journalists on the flight, which was used to gather data and information about the effects of the super-long-haul journey on passengers.

                                                                                        File Photo

The plane, which was used as part of Project Sunrise, was specially designed to include designated 'stretching zones' as well as other areas ear-marked for socialising to encourage those on board to move. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said: "We know that travellers want room to move on these direct services, and the exercises we encouraged on the first research flight seemed to work really well.  "So, we're definitely looking to incorporate onboard stretching zones and even some simple modifications like overhead handles to encourage low impact exercises."  Depending on the findings by this flight, and an earlier one from the US to Australia, Qantas is hoping to offer these non-stop flights commercially in the future.



You can find out more about the sale, and buy tickets, here.


Story sourced from here.
https://www.ladbible.com/news/news-qantas-is-offering-flights-from-London

Emirates drops Brisbane to Singapore sector

EMIRATES A380-842 A6-EUU (CN 238)

Emirates will cease flying the Brisbane-Singapore route from the 30th March, 2020. This Emirates fifth-freedom route is currently operated daily as Brisbane-Singapore-Dubai using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Emirates will retain its daily Brisbane-Dubai direct flight, and Qantas will still fly from Brisbane to Singapore beyond the 30th March 2020. The Dubai-based airline had initially revealed its intention to withdraw from the Brisbane-Singapore route in September, claiming it was losing money. However, this required the approval of the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) because Qantas and Emirates had voluntarily agreed to increase capacity on the airlines’ overlapping routes between Australia and Singapore when the Qantas-Emirates alliance was formed in 2013. This was part of the basis on which the CCCS had approved the alliance in 2013, so Emirates needed to gain approval to reduce capacity. The CCCS yesterday approved Emirates’ withdrawal from the Brisbane-Singapore route as Emirates had provided evidence to support its claims about the route’s lack of profitability. Additionally, the CCCS received no objections. Emirates’ withdrawal will leave Qantas with one daily flight and Singapore Airlines with four daily services on the Brisbane-Singapore route. Flight EK433 departs Brisbane at 2.45am, arriving in Singapore at 8.10am. EK432 leaves Singapore at 10.10am for a 7.45pm landing in Brisbane. Emirates will continue to fly from Melbourne to Singapore. The airline also still has one fifth-freedom flight remaining across the Tasman, from Sydney to Christchurch using the A380. Emirates used to operate many more fifth-freedom flights to Australia, but earlier this year ended flights from Sydney to Bangkok. The daily Emirates A380 flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Auckland also ended in March 2018, with Qantas picking up some of the capacity. In the past, Emirates also flew from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur.

Many faces of Alliance Airlines

Back on the 10th June this year I wrote a story about Alliance Airlines painting up an aircraft to celebrate the winners of the 1919 Great Air Race. You can click on the link below to read the story below.

https://madaboutplanes.blogspot.com/2019/06/alliance-to-celebrate-1919-great-air.html

Well this week the aircraft turned up and today I managed to get a few photos of it just as it got towed to a bay ready for its first run in its new colour scheme.

 FOKKER F28 MK 70 VH-QQW (CN 11596)

I really love this artwork so much, but then it got me thinking about Alliance Airlines and all the different liveries it has had over the years including the aircraft they have bought from overseas.

FOKKER F28 MK 100 VH-FKA (CN 11345)

FOKKER F28 MK 100 VH-XWS (CN 11314)

STILL SPORTING THE GERMANIA COLOUR SCHEME

FOKKER F28 MK 100 VH-XWS (CN 11314)

IN BETWEEN PAINT JOBS

FOKKER F28 MK 70 OE-LFQ (CN 11568)

PHOTO - LLOYD FOX

FOKKER F28 MK 70 PH-KBX (CN 11547)

FOKKER F28 MK 100 VH-FGB (CN 11446)

SPORTING THE FIRST EVER TRANS PACIFIC FLIGHT

FOKKER F28 MK 100 HB-JVE (CN 11459)

FOKKER F28 MK 100 HB-JVG (CN 11478)

FOKKER 28 MK 70 VH-JFB (CN 11521)

SUPPORTING AUSTRALIANS AFFECT BY BREAST CANCER

MARCH 2016

FOKKER F28 MK 70 VH-NKQ (CN 11572)

SPORTING THE PAUL KELLY TOUR LOGO

FOKKER F28 MK 70 VH-NUU (CN 11532)

SUPPORTING AUSTRALIANS AFFECTED BY BREAST CANCER

OCTOBER 2019