G-VFLY In SIN??? One for Airchabum maybe

Just found out that G-VFLY has been in singapore! Is this true? What has she been doing there?? Anyone have any information? Airchabum do you know anything about this? At first i thought maybe maintenance or a PR link up with SQ. Maybe a stop over on the way back from a PR trip in SYD? Anyone know anything???!!! Or is it just a vicious lie! All information would be gratefully recieved!

Hi Will

It's been out to SIN on a maintenance check. Apparently there was no hangar space available in the places we normally get the 340s done. VFLY is due into LHR later tonight.

Cheers
Alan

[Nottingham Nick]

Thanks for solving the mystery, Alan.

That's what you call having someone in the know;)

Nick

Thanks alan- you really are as our american friends would say 'the man'. where would be without you. just found out on the grapevine that she was to return earlier in the week but they found an engine leak of somesort- is this true? Is she coming back with pax or empty? Wouldnt it be great to see her operating on the SQ/VS codeshare to MAN or LHR!

Thanks Nick/Will [:I]

It was originally planned to leave there on 12th Nov but a fuel leak plus some other problems caused the delay...bummer for the crew stuck down there in the hotel! She came back empty...flight time was 14hrs 30mins!

Cheers
Alan

quote:Originally posted by airchabum
It was originally planned to leave there on 12th Nov but a fuel leak plus some other problems caused the delay...bummer for the crew stuck down there in the hotel! She came back empty...flight time was 14hrs 30mins!

Wow, that's a fair trek to get a maintenance check done!

I'm really surprised that a closer facility couldn't be found, such as Air France, SAS or Lufthansa Technik (or even Air Canada in Montreal, still closer than SIN!), who all seem to do line and heavy mx on their own A340 fleets.

But, I guess SIA did a good price for VS, since they are 49% owners .

Cheers,
Mike

quote:Originally posted by mike-smashing

Wow, that's a fair trek to get a maintenance check done!

I'm really surprised that a closer facility couldn't be found, such as Air France, SAS or Lufthansa Technik (or even Air Canada in Montreal, still closer than SIN!), who all seem to do line and heavy mx on their own A340 fleets.

But, I guess SIA did a good price for VS, since they are 49% owners .

Cheers,
Mike

Hi Mike

Yes it's the first one I know of which has been done anywhere other than the usual places, ie DUB, AMS, BOD, TLS. I presume it must've been a good deal!

Incidentally, one of the Air Atlanta Classics has just gone out to Beijing for a maint input as it was cheaper than going to AMS! [:0]

Cheers
Alan

quote:Originally posted by airchabum
Incidentally, one of the Air Atlanta Classics has just gone out to Beijing for a maint input as it was cheaper than going to AMS! [:0]

I wonder if it could be anything to do with KLM no longer operating Classics (maybe they let their mx type certifications lapse?), no capacity at AMS, or just the fact that Chinese labour charges will be cheaper?

(There's still a fair amount of Classics flying in China, so mx capacity for the type should be a non-issue.)

Cheers,
Mike

Dont quote me.... but i remember hearing a little while ago that this is infact a bit of PR trip to singapore airlines, with a view to establishing a long term agreement.

I believe that VS want some sort of maintenance contract with singapore airlines, in case any of the A346's "go tech" on the LHR-HKG-SYD route.

[Bazz]

quote:Originally posted by airchabum
...flight time was 14hrs 30mins!

Alan, did that flight time set a new record?

PR Trip???

Dont see why a PR trip would be needed. VS are already parlty owned by SQ as we all know so Im sure SQ would be willing to do any maintenance without a PR trip needed. Pax wise a PR trip isnt needed also- SQ pax are well aware of the VS connection with all UK bound flights holding the VS prefix and VS is seen all over the terminal at Changi including at connection desks and on departure boards. Plus if it was for pax why would you do it then shove the a/c in a hanger??

Apologies.....perhaps PR trip wasnt the right term.

I think because of the whole ownership situation, the big cheeses at SQ want to see a VS aircraft in singapore, thats why VS are going to start using SQ for maintenance.

Do you honestly think all the major airlines between here and singapore couldnt fit a VS a/c in for maintenance.....i doubt it. It seems a long way to go!

Hi Mike

I think KLM still do Classic mx...Air Atlanta had planned to send it there but VS (who still own the a/c) decided on Beijing.

Hi Bazz

When we had the ex-Alitalia 744s delivered they went from Seattle to Auckland for fitting out so I imagine that would be longer...I'll have to check at work though. However SIN-LHR is certainly longer than any of our current routes (HKG-LHR is occasionally +13hrs).

Hi Vrocking/Will

I haven't heard of any other reason for the a/c to be down there but there may well have been something else going on besides the mx. AFAIK there were no big-wigs involved though...just the crew.

Cheers
Alan

Alan for your records:

LAX-AKL is cercca 14 hours
SFO-AKL is cercca 13.5 hours

So i think we can say that the SIN-LHR is 2nd in the longest route operated by VS!

Hi Will

Just had a look back and Seattle-Auckland was 13hrs45 (take-off to landing) but that was on a 744 so a 343 would probably be 45mins to 1hr longer, so it's pretty close.

Cheers
Alan

At last! A pic of VS in SIN:

http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_ ... d=00231954