G-VGOA

I see from the aircraft tool that G-VGOA has come out of storage today at TLS and flown over to MNL (Presumably for a heavy maintenance check).
Is this due to a re-entry to VS service? I assume that with all the re-fits etc that will be happening to the 744 LGW fleet over the next 12 months, VS will need to shuffle the fleet around a bit....
I wonder if G-VATL will be airborne again too?

Cheers,

Matt

[Nottingham Nick]

Wow - good spot Matt. ^)

No idea what the plans are, but I am sure someone will know. 8D

Nick

Skyliner-aviation have her entered as:

Airbus A340-642 371 G-VGOA Virgin Atlantic ferried 04aug10 LDE-TLS-MNL prior return to service ex F-WWCB

but is this going to be with VS?

That's great news ... a lot of flights got canned last year, the 2nd HKG and IAD, BOM, the 4th JFK, for example. Be great to see some coming back and VS grow again!

but is this going to be with VS?

Apols for double post ... let's hope so. After all, the market for A340s isn't that demand lead is it? Also, if VS or the lease company that owns this (???) had sold it on, ANet or somewhere else would have known, surely???

[Neil]

Interesting. Surely this can only be a temporary measure to help cover current updates to the existing fleet with new livery and maintenance, and then to help cover the LGW 747 refits?

With the A333's due and the renewal of the leases on the LGW 747's it would appear VS are going to have a very big fleet, even if they do reintroduce some flights that were binned last year and some new routes.

I agree.... I can't see it being leased to another airline, it must be coming back into service with VS. It'll be interesting to see if G-VATL makes the same journey in the next month or so.

With the A333's due and the renewal of the leases on the LGW 747's it would appear VS are going to have a very big fleet, even if they do reintroduce some flights that were binned last year and some new routes.

Or maybe not, VS is currently leasing out some LHR slots, I don't know how many and am trying to dig this out. But some of the new planes are to replace the old, and while refitting will need some flexibility, new routes, reinstated routes and expansion at some airports could herald a great new start for VS.

Very big is relative though isn't it, VS have what 38 current wide bodies, BA has 53 x 747s, 44 x 777s and 28 x 767s ... EK will have over 100 x 777s and 90 x A380s ... VS is still smallish but we like 'em for it!

I think you'll find both returning to service, TL off to Manilla befoire xmas.