Register Review May 2026

CASA, can you hear me? CASA, can you see me? CASA, can you help me work out your new Register data file system? I beg. Another quarter of desperately trying (and failing) to understand the inner workings of these complex data sheets, and while some progress has been made, it is apparent to me that my findings are not what I am accustomed to. So, unless we are seeing the ultimate recession indicator of extremely minimal aircraft sales and transfers, I would prefer to assume that my approach is still yet to be perfected. Alas! We shall make do. CASA, if you’re listening, though, please return my calls.

Five more Boeing 737 MAX jets hit the register this quarter, of course, to be delivered to the once-embattled and now booming Virgin Australia. While many of us were concerned by the extent of Virgin’s investment in the MAX program – pledged while Virgin was continuing to navigate an extremely turbulent financial crisis, and Boeing a global PR disaster – it appears that any doubt has been proven erroneous. The data suggests most of these MAX jets are owned and operated by Virgin or its subsidiaries, rather than leased, providing greater financial stability to the Qantas challenger, though this isn’t the case for every plane.

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