Final ex VA(NZ) frame returns to service

The final first flight happened today with VH-VUQ ex ZK-PBL operating this morning,  Wednesday 18-March-2015, VA308 BNE-MEL.

This brings to the end the transition of the former VA(NZ) fleet back into VA International.

To date the following ex ZK aircraft have operated international routes
PBA VH-VOO
PBB VH-VOP
PBF VH-VOR
PBJ VH-VUB
All have seen domestic Australian service however just VH-VOR and VH-VUB have graced New Zealand/South Pacific skies again, with VH-VOO & VH-VOP operating only on international services to Bali.

Meanwhile as noted in THIS post - VH-YID now wearing full Virgin Samoa colours has hopped around the network operating Trans-Tasman, to Fiji, domestically in Australia, on FIFO flights in WA and to Denpasar from Perth.

VA(NZ) the (visible) end

The final New Zealand registered Virgin Australia aircraft ZK-PBL finished up last night Friday 13-March-2015 as VA161 AKL-BNE, bringing a visible end to VA(NZ).  

VA(NZ) will no doubt still have paperwork to complete and staff to transition across to VAI before it hands in its AOC but the visible face the 10 ZK registered aircraft have returned to Australia.

ZK-PBL will return to her previous Aussie registration VH-VUQ

VH-VUP ex ZK-PBK re-entered service today Saturday 14-March-2015 as VA607 BNE-MKY, while newly Virgin Samoa branded VH-YID operated this morning Saturday 14-March-2015 as VA152 BNE-AKL

Pacific Blue/Virgin Australia (NZ) commenced flying in 2004 between its home base of Christchurch and Brisbane a flight that continues daily to this date.  In 2007 it announced it would enter the New Zealand domestic market and indeed flew between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin from November-2007 to October-2010.

With the withdrawal of ZK-PBL the New Zealand register connection ends after 11 years of aircraft on the New Zealand register. 23/01/04 - 14/03/15

And the winner is.......

And the winner is ZK-PBL the final VA(NZ) bird

Boeing 737-8FE ZK-PBK flew her final flights as VA171/170 BNE-VLI-BNE on Monday 09-March-2015 before entering the Virgin Australia hanger.  She was struck from the New Zealand register today Tuesday 10-March-2015 and will enter the Australian register as VH-VUP.

VH-VOR ex PBF at time of writing has not entered service but will no longer carry the Virgin Samoa titles.  ***UPDATE*** VH-VOR operated her first flight as VA1384 BNE-ADL today Tuesday 10-March-2015

VH-YID flew from Brisbane to Townsville on Tuesday 03-March-2015 as VA9939 where she entered the paint hanger and was given the Virgin Samoa titles and Tupu'itea name.  Unlike PBF she does not sport the tribal colour band on the engines.  She returned to Brisbane as VA9938 on Sunday 08-March-2015 and at time of writing has not flown since.

VH-VOR/ZK-PBF arriving at AKL in the old Polynesian Blue colour scheme ©nzompilot

Another first for Virgin Australia goes to VH-VUB ex ZK-PBJ which takes the honour of the first ex ZK bird to return to New Zealand.  VH-VUB operated VA160 BNE-AKL on Monday 09-March-2015

Then There Were two

Thursday 05-March-2015 saw Virgin Samoa branded Boeing 737-8FE ZK-PBF operate her final flight on the New Zealand register flying VA161 AKL-BNE.  Upon completion she was towed across the airport and entered the Virgin Australia hanger for business class upgrade and entry to the Australian register.  She will take up VH-VOR.

Meanwhile VH-VUH ex ZK-PBI re-entered Virgin Australia service on Tuesday 3-March-2015 as VA773 Brisbane to Cairns

VH-VUD ex ZK-PBG re-entered Virgin Australia service today Friday 06-March-2015 as VA304 Brisbane to Melbourne

Talofa Virgin Samoa, farewell Pacific Blue and V Australia

Effective today Wednesday 7-December-2011 Polynesian Blue will now be known as Virgin Samoa.  The Polynesian Blue aircraft Boeing 737-8FE ZK-PBF Tapu'itea is being painted in Virgin Samoa colours and will be fitted with the upgraded interior for entry into service in early 2012.

The major difference in the livery other than the name will be the engine scheme which features the Virgin Samoa tatau.

Also today V Australia and Pacific Blue adopt the Virgin Australia brand.  The V Australia aircraft have started to undergo the re branding process, while the Pacific Blue aircraft are expected to undergo the repainting process next year.

Read more from the Virgin Australia Blog HERE or check out virginsamoa.com