Traffic

• BAe 146-200 VH-NJG (msn 2170): First flight August 1990 as PK-DTD. Previously leased to Alisarda as I-FLRX.
• BAe 146-200 VH-NJH (msn 2178): First flight December 1990. Delivered to Alisarda in July 1991 as I-FLRW.
• BAe 146-200 VH-NJJ (msn 2184): First flight February 1991. Delivered to Alisarda in May 1991 as I-FLRV.
• BAe 146-300s VH-NJL (msn 3213) and VH-NJN (msn 3217): First flights July 1992 and December 1991 respectively. Both have been in storage at Filton, UK.

In early July, Qantas announced that Airlink will enter the Western Australia intrastate market starting November 14, flying from Perth to Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, and Port Hedland. Airlink will retain three of its current BAe 146-100s. By late November, the fleet will double to eight aircraft, increasing seat availability by 130%.

Regional Airline News

Aeropelican DHC-6-300 VH-KZQ was noted at Archerfield on July 21, the first in the fleet to wear the Ansett regional airline scheme.

Air Kangaroo Island ceased operations on June 1. Its EMB-110P1 VH-FCG was repossessed and seen at Maroochydore in late July.

Hazelton Airlines took delivery of its fifth Saab 340B, VH-TCH, on July 5. This is the first 340B Plus model in Australia. It was ferried from Linkoping via Ankara, Dubai, Madras, Medan, Denpasar, Broome, and Broken Hill. Named ‘Our Selection’, it entered service on July 10.

Kendell Airlines withdrew Metro II VH-BIS on July 14 and VH-WGY on July 22. Both are being prepared for delivery to International Air Parts in Sydney. Saab 340A VH-KDK returned to service on July 7 in the Ansett regional livery.

SA Regional Airlines commenced operations on June 23, following the purchase of Air Kangaroo Island’s assets. They are operating four return flights daily between Adelaide and Kingscote using PA-31-350 VH-NEH.

Skywest Airlines registered its leased Saab 340B as VH-SBA, first noted in Perth on June 30.

Tamair christened Metro III VH-NEK ‘Tamworth Country Queen-Fiona Coote’ on June 21. Cessna 411 VH-BBV joined the fleet in mid-July.

Sunstate Airlines DHC-6-300 VH-TGG was repainted in the full Qantas regional livery at Townsville in mid-July. VH-TGI arrived in Tamworth on July 20 for similar repainting.

Jetstream 41 For Impulse Airlines

Impulse Airlines ordered 10 Jetstream 41 aircraft on July 4. Five are due in 1994, with the rest in 1996. The first aircraft (msn 41034) flew at Prestwick on June 29 as G-4-034. It was painted in Ansett colours with Impulse titles and registered VH-SMH. To accommodate this, Impulse re-registered its Beech 1900D VH-SMH to VH-IMA. The first revenue service is planned for August 18 on the Newcastle-Coffs Harbour-Brisbane route. Subsequent 1994 deliveries will be registered VH-IMQ, VH-AFR, VH-IMR, and VH-IMS.

Airline News

Air Nelson took delivery of two more Saab 340As (ZK-NLH and ZK-NLR), bringing their fleet of the type to eleven.

Air New Zealand leased Boeing 747-236B 9M-MHI from Malaysia Airlines, first noted on July 17 on the Auckland-Brisbane-Seoul route.

Ansett Air Freight leased Arrow Air DC-8-62F N1804 for trans-Tasman operations starting July 12, replacing the Polynesian Boeing 737-3S3(QC) 5W-FAX.

Ansett Australia Fokker 50 VH-FNF returned to Melbourne on July 5 following the end of its lease to Raj Air in India.

Polynesian Airlines returned Boeing 737-3S3(QC) 5W-FAX to ILFC on July 11. The airline also experienced issues with Boeing 767-269ER 5W-TEA, requiring further maintenance in Sydney. Qantas Boeing 767-238 VH-EAO was used as a substitute.

Qantas Boeing 747-238B VH-EBB was sold to American International Airways as N706CK. As of late July, only four Boeing 737s (VH-TAX, -TAY, -TJD, and -TJH) remain in Australian Airlines colours.

Lockheed Constellation Into Australian Skies

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) is nearing completion of the restoration of Lockheed Super Constellation VH-EAG ‘Southern Preservation’. A first flight from Davis Monthan AFB to Tucson International is planned for August 18 under Captain Dave Kuntz. The aircraft will be painted in 1950s-era Qantas colours. It is expected to arrive in Australia in late October.

Uk Visit

Editor observations from a UK trip:

• Traveling on BA10 (G-BNLH), the Qantas QF9 (VH-OJQ) was spotted 4000 feet below over Germany, demonstrating parallel scheduling on international routes.
• Former Qantas Electra VH-ECA was seen at Coventry as G-LOFA with Air Atlantique.
• Hawker Fury G-BTIA (formerly VH-HFX) and Auster G-AXRR were noted at the Duxford airshow.
• Several Victa and Glos-Airtourers were seen at the PFA Rally at Cranfield, including G-ATHT and G-AYWM.