Register Review May 2026

Newly registered jets include VH-8VD, -8VE, -8VH and -8VI, the last of which will receive a retro makeover in a nod to Virgin’s 2000s roots – you can read more about this over in our Traffic column. Meanwhile, a previously-registered plane VH-8VG is clearly on a lease, with ownership transferred to US-based lessor CIT Aerospace. CIT was formerly a major player in the aircraft lessor space before being bought up by major competitor Avolon. CIT was newly reincorporated in Delaware. Notably, Virgin remains the registered operator of VH-8VG.

Major rival Qantas also saw movement in all directions on the register this quarter. Another Airbus A321XLR, VH-OGG, was added in March, marking the airline’s sixth plane of the type to be registered. Cross-country and medium-haul international travellers will be happy to know they’ll see a shorter wait for the loo on this plane as opposed to the first three A321XLRs that Qantas welcomed – if you’re interested, you can read up more on this over in Traffic. VH-OGG is a recycled registration, also formerly assigned to Qantas, on one of its Boeing 767-338ER international commercial passenger fleet, delivered in December 1990 and retired in 2014.

In its regional ranks, Qantas took delivery of a new Bombardier DHC-8-400, or Dash 8-400, for Brisbane-based regional subsidiary Sunstate Airlines. Other mentions in the register are largely about internal aircraft movements between branches and tell us little about the state of the union, as it were. Two new Embraer E-Jets were also added to Virgin’s regional arm, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, as has been the case for several quarters. Virgin continues to grow its E-Jet fleet, competing with Alliance Airlines, which surprisingly, did not see any new planes registered this quarter. Well, there’s a first for everything, I suppose!

Elsewhere, Pay’s Aviation, a leading player in the growing Scone-based heritage aviation scene, has welcomed a most exciting addition indeed to its fleet this quarter. VH-TR9 has joined the ranks at Pays, a WWII-era flying two-seat Supermarine Spitfire MkIX. This plane, serial number BS548, is thought to be the first two-seat of its type in Australia, and the only airworthy two-seat Spitfire in the Southern Hemisphere.

Originally built as a Vickers Supermarine in 1942, the aircraft was delivered to the RAF; however, it was quickly converted to a Mk IX with Rolls-Royce engines. Records suggest the aircraft was no stranger to combat and was abandoned in marshland for decades after being shot down over France. The restoration efforts spanned years and continents, with the first test flight taking place in the UK earlier this year – but more on that in a future edition. The company appears to be planning a proper unveiling, so keep an eye out on their socials for more information – we’ll run a more in-depth look once they do (likely over in our Warbirds column!)