Traffic #397 | Qantas 767F’s new life and Cathay 747s

The final fate of Rex’s 737s

Nearly one year after the fall of Rex and total collapse of its Boeing 737 program, it seems that all 10 of Rex’s former 737s have officially made their way to a new home, with some being further flung than others. That is, all aside from one – VH-RQG – which looks to be staying put in Alice Springs’ aircraft storage facility to be stripped for parts. To make matters confusing, this scrapped plane flew for Rex as VH-VUF, but was re-registered to VH-RQG after the original VH-RQG was de-registered, returned to the lessor, and shipped to Arizona, USA. It sits there alongside another former Rex 737, VH-RYU.

Meanwhile, if you’re an avid Australian Aviation reader, you already know that two of Rex’s planes are now back in the hands of their original holder, Virgin Australia, including the iconic registration VH-REX, along with VH-RQP. Phew, five down, five to go.

Two previously stored planes, VH-8JS and -8KH were removed from the CASA register this quarter, having finally found their next venture. Both 737 aircraft, now owned by Japanese lease management company Fuyo General Lease, have been ferried to Indonesia to fly for flag-carrier Garuda Airlines. The jets were both flown from Alice Springs to Jakarta in late March and have been re-registered as PK-GUI and PK-GUH, respectively.

The remaining three planes have also begun new lives overseas, with VH-PAG being taken on by Ukraine-based budget carrier SkyUp and VH-8ZL delivered to Kenyan flag-carrier Kenya Airways. As for the last Rex tail number, VH-MFM – named in honour of former Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and federal member for Wagga Wagga, Michael McCormack – this plane has been returned to the lessor and is currently relaxing in Bali.

The end is nigh for Wellcamp’s Cathay 747 service

Cathay Pacific has announced the end of its long-running Boeing 747-8 freight service from Toowoomba, Queensland, to Hong Kong. Toowoomba’s privately owned Wellcamp Airport previously marked the final leg of the airline’s Australian cargo venture, following Melbourne and Sydney. However, as of 17 June 2025, after 10 years in operation, the weekly service will now be rerouted through Brisbane.

As a former resident of Toowoomba myself, this news hit unusually hard! Each week, without fail, the arrival and departure of the jumbo jet was a spectacle for local aviators, enthusiasts, photographers and regular folk alike – myself included. It’s not every day that a small town sees such a large aircraft, but since 2015, it was certainly every week! The reroute will certainly be a hit to local Darling Downs businesses, which previously sent fresh meat and produce – and at one stage, even a live Queensland crocodile – directly to Asia via Hong Kong in the belly of a 747. However, South-East Queensland farmers will now get their turn to share the best that Australia has to offer with the rest of the world. Perhaps the shift is for the best, as Wellcamp has just officially opened its new Aerospace and Defence Precinct at the aerodrome, alongside principal tenant Boeing Australia. Here, Boeing will produce, assemble, and undoubtedly test-fly its multi-role unmanned combat vehicle, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Onwards and upwards!

First QF A321XLR wheeled out of paint shop

The first Qantas A321XLR has been wheeled out of a Hamburg factory wearing a distinctive white and red kangaroo on its tail, after hitting the CASA register in recent weeks as VH-OGA. It’s the first jet in a planned order of 28, of which roughly half are expected to be directed to budget subsidiary Jetstar. Following several rounds of delays, VH-OGA is currently being slated for delivery in June 2025.

The A321XLR planes are a vital part of Qantas’ next-generation fleet overhaul. In December 2021, Qantas made a splash when it announced that it would no longer be backing its domestic workhorse, the Boeing 737, or its new, energy-efficient counterpart, the 737 MAX, for its fleet renewal program Project Winton. Instead, Qantas revealed orders for a brand-new fleet of Airbus A320 and A220 family planes. Boasting an additional 5 metres in length over the traditional Boeing 737 it replaces, according to Qantas, the A321XLR allows for more seats onboard without compromising on the cabin space travellers have come to expect. These planes, while slightly bigger, will also offer greater range to the Flying Kangaroo for domestic and short-haul international flying, all while lowering costs and emissions

Then-CEO Alan Joyce said: “The A320s and A220s will become the backbone of our domestic fleet for the next 20 years, helping to keep this country moving. Their range and economics will make new direct routes possible, including serving regional cities better.” To date, four Airbus A321XLR planes have been added to the CASA register; VH-OGA, -OGB, -OIR and -OYX – the latter two of which appear to be headed to Jetstar. VH-OIR was spotted at the assembly factory in Hamburg in late April, looking largely unidentifiable apart from a distinct orange tail and white star. Remember, you heard it here first, folks – it looks to me like Qantas is planning a dual unveiling of both planes, in their respective liveries, in the coming months.