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VBUS & VFLY

PostPosted: 06 May 2004, 18:26
by arfortune
Hi

Just wondered if anyone could clarify something. I thought these had been sold to the French Airforce, however, whilst looking at the LGW movements site, and the aircraft databas ehere it appears that they have been operating flights recently (on 1st May for one.

Does anyone know if they have been sold, and if not when ?

Cheers
Alex

PostPosted: 06 May 2004, 18:34
by freeway
I can see they are both operating flights for the next 2 weeks.
(NOTE : Aircraft only assigned 14 days into the future)

PostPosted: 06 May 2004, 20:41
by Richard28
I think the deal to sell them was dropped, and that they are now being kept to assist in VS's growth plans.

G-VSKY (IIRC) is the only A343 to have been sold to BWIA.

now the real question : If they're gonna keep the A343's are they gonna fit Suites, get rid of Arcadia/fit V:Port?

But I dont think anyone knows the answer on this one yet :)

PostPosted: 10 May 2004, 15:17
by declansmith
FLY just went to get a new coat of silver paint!!!

Now all the fleet are in the new livery!!

I think the A340-300 are staying u dont spend all that money to paint a plane and then sell it! Do you??

PostPosted: 10 May 2004, 18:58
by Nottingham Nick
quote:Originally posted by declansmith

I think the A340-300 are staying u dont spend all that money to paint a plane and then sell it! Do you??


Not if you want to stay in business.

It makes sense with the rumoured route expansion. I think it was Declan who pointed out previously that the planes are not THAT old in flying terms.

Nick

PostPosted: 10 May 2004, 22:58
by declansmith
In terms of an Airliners point of view all of VS aircraft wil be flying for ages yet.

The oldest A343 in VS fleet is around 13 years old, thats nothing.

mmmm wonder if we will see them get suites and V-port!!! as always time will tell....

PostPosted: 10 May 2004, 23:53
by vsdan
With the proper maintenence of an aircraft, a 13 year old aircraft is healthy and young, I'm certain Virgin gives (one) of the best maintenence programs to all aircraft.

It does make sense to keep the A343s because of the route expansion, and if a particular route is not busy for a certain season (or maonth) then if they use a A346 or 744, then there could be lots of spare seats. I also am now wondering if they will get Suites and v:port, if they are kept in the fleet for some time? Maybe they will, but the 3 744s with Odyssey at LHR have not been given v:port with the UCS refit, so maybe the Arcadia ones will get v:port, or maybe all? It would be quite good if they did, but not sensible if they were going to be replaced (which, by the sound of things, they won't be going for some time yet?)