New role for this little Fokker

After its final flight across Australia a QantasLink Fokker F100 jet aircraft has a new home at Shellharbour Airport, where it will begin a new chapter with the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).

The recently retired 100-seat aircraft has been donated by QantasLink to HARS, where it will join its collection of aircraft as a public exhibit.

VH-NPU “Meekatharra” is the second aircraft to be donated to HARS, with another QantasLink F100 domated to its Parkes Museum in February.

Meekatharra will sit alongside Qantas’ first Boeing 747- 400, VH-OJA, that was donated by the Australian flag carrier in 2015. City of Canberra arrived at HARS following 26 years of service and is one of the museum's most visited attractions.

QantasLink’s fleet of F100s are being replaced by Embraer E190 aircraft to improve reliability, fuel efficiency and customer comfort. The first E190 is expected to arrive in Perth next month.

Meekatharra began flying for QantasLink in December 2016 and was the final F100 to be added to the fleet. The aircraft has flown more than 11,250 hours for QantasLink, carrying around a million passengers across regional Western Australia.

HARS President and chief pilot Bob De La Hunty said: “We're honoured that QantasLink has entrusted HARS with another important piece of Australian aviation history.

“Meekatharra will help tell the story of the aircraft that connected regional communities and supported industry across Western Australia.

“Our volunteers are passionate about keeping these stories alive and giving visitors the opportunity to experience these remarkable aircraft up close.”

* VH-NPU joined the QantasLink fleet in 2016 and prior to that it flew for American Airlines and Austrian Airlines. It recorded 9 million kilometres and 7,543 flights flown for QantasLink.

Qantas unveils good news for Western Australian flyers

Qantas has unveiled some good news for Western Australian travellers - including those in regional centres. 

The state is is to benefit from a multi-million dollar upgrade of QantasLink’s fleet, with the airline announcing upgrades to the onboard experience of its Airbus aircraft and confirming it has secured the initial three Embraer E190s to replace its Fokker 100 fleet.

These investments "will improve comfort and reliability for thousands of residents across regional WA, as well as workers in Western Australia’s critical resources industry", the airline said in a statement.

The airline will begin fitting its fleet of 28 Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft with onboard wifi so customers can keep connected and enjoy the latest hit movies and television shows on their own device via the Qantas Entertainment App.

The airline’s A320s will also be fitted with new seats equipped with USB A/C charging ports and portable device holders.

The first refurbished aircraft is expected to enter into service later this year, with the full cabin and wifi program set to be completed in early 2027.

The three mid-life Embraer E190 jets are expected to begin arriving by the end of the year, gradually replacing afleet of Fokker F100 aircraft.

In total, the airline will acquire up to 14 E190s. 

“This multi-million-dollar investment reinforces our long-term commitment to serving the critical resources sector in Western Australia and connecting regional communities across the state," says QantasLink CEO Mark Dal Pra.

 
“Not only will it significantly enhance the travel experience for our customers, it will also help us improve reliability and efficiency across our WA network.

“It also builds on Qantas’ commitment to developing Perth as its western hub, including recent investments in new training facilities, infrastructure upgrades at Perth Airport and the launch of domestic and international routes to destinations including Newcastle, Hobart, Johannesburg and Auckland.”