A330 fleet status

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A330-300 G-VLUV planned to be going out for a spin tomorrow. VS801T scheduled for a 1300 departure and likely to be a single circuit, so about 5-10 mins air time.

G-VRAY has left Manchester storage and returned to Heathrow this afternoon as VS810P. This aircraft is expected to re-enter service in the next couple of weeks after a few maintenance checks.

Are the any dates for more a330s to return to service and will all the -300s return to service before the 3 remaining -200s?

Tomorrow sees A330-300 G-VKSS return to Manchester from Dresden as VS833P for short-term storage. She has been in DRS since January 26th for maintenance.

A few extra A330 movements today

G-VGEM is currently positioning from DSA-DRS as VS832P for maintenance. The aircraft will be in Dresden for 3-4 weeks.

The same pilots will then bring G-VKSS back to MAN later today as VS833P.

Finally, G-VWND will leave Manchester today Heathrow bound as VS835P. Fleet status of WND unknown.

Does anyone know if Virgin are planning on bringing G-VMNK back to the fleet because in the current summer schedule there are three days a week when they have scheduled 4 A332 flights?

It was returned to lessor last year. I don't think it will come back.

I would also hazard a guess the summer schedule is still up in the air (no pun intended) due to border restrictions. If countries such as the USA have closed borders long into the summer months, then VS probably won't operate as many flights as they hope and hence won't need as many aircraft.

Additionally, any flights down for A330's have been known to switch between -200's and -300's, so I wouldn't take it as gospel.

It was returned to lessor last year. I don't think it will come back.

I would also hazard a guess the summer schedule is still up in the air (no pun intended) due to border restrictions. If countries such as the USA have closed borders long into the summer months, then VS probably won't operate as many flights as they hope and hence won't need as many aircraft.

Additionally, any flights down for A330's have been known to switch between -200's and -300's, so I wouldn't take it as gospel.

Do you think any of the -200s will still be around in the summer or will they be retired early?

I think it depends what happens with the US border.

If it reopens around the same time we do, you can watch those 200's be used in some capacity as they will fill them happily!

If the US border doesn't reopen till AFTER the UK School summer holidays they will be gone for sure. I'm not sure what the deal is with them now, I doubt Boeing are still funding them as part of the 787 engine issues?

I think it depends what happens with the US border.

If it reopens around the same time we do, you can watch those 200's be used in some capacity as they will fill them happily!

If the US border doesn't reopen till AFTER the UK School summer holidays they will be gone for sure. I'm not sure what the deal is with them now, I doubt Boeing are still funding them as part of the 787 engine issues?

I think some of the acquisition costs were funded by Rolls-Royce, but I could be wrong and can't really remember as it was over 3 years ago.

I agree if it gets past the summer period without a significant upturn in the flying programme then their days in the fleet must surely be numbered.

I think it depends what happens with the US border.

If it reopens around the same time we do, you can watch those 200's be used in some capacity as they will fill them happily!

If the US border doesn't reopen till AFTER the UK School summer holidays they will be gone for sure. I'm not sure what the deal is with them now, I doubt Boeing are still funding them as part of the 787 engine issues?

I think some of the acquisition costs were funded by Rolls-Royce, but I could be wrong and can't really remember as it was over 3 years ago.

I agree if it gets past the summer period without a significant upturn in the flying programme then their days in the fleet must surely be numbered.

I think virgin will maybe accelerate the a350 deliveries and get rid of them.

POSITIONING FLIGHT
5 MAR 21
A332 G-VWND LHR-MAN VS813P D1300 A1400

This aircraft has been down in Heathrow getting maintenance done and will return to Manchester for further storage.

POSITIONING FLIGHTS
5 MAR 21
A332 G-VWND LHR-MAN VS813P D1300 A1400
A333 G-VLUV MAN-LHR VS814P D1600 A1700

G-VWND has been down in Heathrow getting maintenance done and will return to Manchester for further storage.

G-VLUV is meant to be the next A333 to re-enter service after G-VRAY.

That won't happen, part of the recovery and restructuring package is around deferring aircraft deliveries which is when a large chunk of cash is transferred.

POSITIONING FLIGHTS
5 MAR 21
A332 G-VWND LHR-MAN VS813P D1300 A1400
A333 G-VLUV MAN-LHR VS814P D1600 A1700

G-VWND has been down in Heathrow getting maintenance done and will return to Manchester for further storage.

G-VLUV is meant to be the next A333 to re-enter service after G-VRAY.

G-VLUV has just pushed back. New schedule: D1745 A1830.

G-VRAY looks to be returning to Manchester storage tomorrow after being at Heathrow since mid February. Arrives 1400 as VS815P.

Rumour has it that 2 other A330s will leave Manchester tomorrow Heathrow bound.

Ferry Flights

08 MAR 21
G-VNYC MAN-LHR D1300 A1345 VS813P
G-VRAY LHR-MAN D1400 A1445 VS814P
G-VGBR MAN-LHR D1600 A1645 VS815P


*Subject to last minute cancellations and flight numbers may change.

G-VNYC and G-VGBR have now arrived at Heathrow after a very long storage period at Manchester. NYC being there for a whopping 286 days. These should re-enter in a couple of weeks.

Note: G-VLUV (like G-VRAY) is only having maintenance at Heathrow and is expected to return to Manchester rather than go straight back into service.

A330 shuffles continue tomorrow. G-VLUV heads back to Manchester from maintenance at Heathrow, while G-VMIK heads the other way.

G-VNYC and G-VGBR have now arrived at Heathrow after a very long storage period at Manchester. NYC being there for a whopping 286 days. These should re-enter in a couple of weeks.

Note: G-VLUV (like G-VRAY) is only having maintenance at Heathrow and is expected to return to Manchester rather than go straight back into service.

G-VNYC has done a couple of short circular flights out of MAN during its time in storage there since last May, so it hasn't been parked up untouched all this time unlike the Thomas Cook A330's that have been scrapped there.

Positioning Flight

12 MAR 21 A333 G-VGBR LHR-MAN D1315 A1400

The A330-300s are taking over the LHR-TLV flights from the 24th March. Therefore, another aircraft should be re-entering service next week.

G-VGEM is positioning LHR-MAN as VS815P after a short visit to Heathrow after receiving a new landing gear a Dresden. Estimated arrival at MAN is 1300.

G-VINE still remains at Heathrow. This aircraft will depart to MAN tomorrow. D1300 A1345.

Has anyone got any updates on the status of G-VLNM? Has it been returned early like MNK?