QF & PB Firsts

Pacific Blue
As mentioned on an earlier enttry, the AKL-MEL and AKL-RAR flights have increased services. The first AKL-MEL friday afternoon flight on 5-December-08 was operated by ZK-PBM Kiwi Ana which also operated the first Saturday afternoon service on 6-December-08. This takes AKL-MEL return to 9x weekly.

The first of the new Sunday afternoon services to Rarotonga on 7-December-08 was operated by ZK-PBG Bewitching Broome. This takes AKL-RAR return to 3x weekly.

Qantas/Jetconnect
The new MEL-WLG-MEL routed, 73H operated, late afternoon arrival, early evening departure, QF37/38, began yesterday. This previously operated as QF38/37 WLG-MEL-WLG with a mix of 733 and 734s and morning and afternoon departures. The first flight was operated yesterday 8-December-08 with Qantas 73H VH-VZC Innisfail, operated by Jetconnect.

Yesterday there was also a change in the double daily QF118/47 and QF48/117 services WLG-SYD-WLG. QF118 was cancelled and QF47/48/117 was operated by VH-VXA Broome. It has been noted that the 73H will continue to operate on the 48/117 service until 16-December-08 with 118/47 remaining as a mix of 733 & 734 aircraft, with the exception of the two weekend services which will also operate with 73H.

It is pleasing to note the aircraft will remain on the ground in WLG between its late night QF117 arrival, and its mid afternoon QF48 departure. This should make for some good photo oportunities of this aircraft and also the 73H operating the MEL flight arriving at a good time (hint, hint Rodney, looking forward to seeing photos of the 73H in Wellington on your blog)