Well 2013 has been a fantastic year for spotters in Queensland. Here is a quick recap of the best of 2013, and what we can expect in 2014.
Garuda Indonesia returned to Brisbane with daily B737-800s from Bali.
Philippine Airlines returned to Brisbane with three flights a week from Manila via Darwin using Airbus A320s.
Etihad increased flights from three per week to daily. Still using A330-200s from Abu Dhabi via Singapore.
China Southern increased flights from four per week to daily. Still using Airbus A330-200s from Guangzhou.
Malaysian Airlines increased flights from five per week to daily. Still using Airbus A330-300s from Kuala Lumpur.
Air Pacific re-branded as Fiji Airways.
Tiger Airways re-branded as Tigerair.
Brisbane finally joined the A380 club! Emirates commenced operating the super jumbo on the daily DXB-BNE-AKL route on October 2.
Qantas gave us a few new liveries!
VH-OGG in Disney Planes livery.
VH-VXG in Bring it On livery for the Lions tour.
VH-VXA in the Ashes livery.
Also VH-XZJ in Mendoorwoorrji livery, I am still chasing this one!!!
Brindabella Airlines sadly went into administration at the end of the year.
China Airlines upgraded flights to Brisbane from A330-300s to B747-400s from November 28, this will continue through to February 28.
Virgin Australia commenced Airbus A330-200s operations out of Brisbane, on two flights a day from BNE-PER.
Air New Zealand released its second Hobbit livery, which is on ZK-OKO.
At long last, Jetstar received its first Boeing 787 VH-VKA.
I was lucky enough to travel on the inaugural Jetstar Boeing 787 flight on November 13 from MEL-OOL.
Qantas increased flights from BNE-HKG from four per week up to daily, still using the Airbus A330-300s.
Qantas also increased flights from BNE-LAX from six per week up to daily, still using Boeing 747-400s.
We had National Airlines Boeing 747-400F N919CA visit twice.
Multiple AN-124 visits at the beginning of the year and the odd one throughout 2013.
DC-8F OB-2059-P arrived at the end of the year. This aircraft will be based in Brisbane (not sure how long for though). This has been well over a year in the making.
Omni Air International Boeing 767-300 N396AX visited twice.
Thai Cargo Boeing 747-400s HS-TGH and HS-TGJ both visited mid-year.
Both Qantas Boeing 747-400s VH-OJD and VH-OJE were retired through Brisbane operating QF15 from BNE-LAX. OJD went on March 6 and OJE on August 25.
Volga Dnepr IL-76F RA-76503 sat in Brisbane for 3 weeks.
Cathay Pacific Cargo Boeing 747-400Fs B-HUL and B-LID visited.
Antonov 12 UR-CAH made a quick visit over Christmas.
Also had a heap of newbies arrive. Including Virgin B738s, AT72s, Qantas B738s, Qantaslink B712s and Q400s, Jetstar A320s, Tiger A320s and many more including overseas carriers.
What to expect in 2014!
There has already been a number of announcements for new services and special movements in 2014.
Brisbane will be the first Australian port to see the new Boeing 787-9! It will arrive from Auckland at 1200 on January 6 and depart at 1500 to Alice Springs. It is visiting Australia for heat testing which is part of the certification of the new aircraft. Air New Zealand expects to receive their first B789s in the second half of 2014.
China Eastern will operate three charters to BNE for Chinese New Year. January 29, 31 and February 1. Arriving at 1055 and departing at 1230. Airbus A330-300s will operate these services.
The Gold Coast will also see a few Chinese New Year charters! Two China Southern flights (January 27 and February 8) and one Cathay Pacific charter (February 2).
As usual Cairns will see a fair few charters! Eight China Southern charters, one Cathay Pacific charter, three Korean Air and three Thomson!
February 9 will see Brisbane's first ever Antarctica joyflight. The flight will be operated by a Qantas Boeing 747-400, departing at 0730 and arriving back at 2030.
Qantas Airbus A330-200s will make a return to Brisbane, progressively taking over the BNE-PER route from February 16. This route will be completely operated by A332s from May.
Tigerair will open up its Brisbane base in March. Six weekly flights from BNE-ADL start March 11, and daily BNE-CNS and DRW start April 15.
Hawaiian Airlines add a fourth weekly flight from March 31. Boeing 767-300ERs will continue to operate this service.
And the big one! Brisbane will join the 787 club on April 17! Jetstar will commence four flights a week from Bali non-stop to Brisbane using the brand new Boeing 787-8s!
We have a lot to look forward to! Happy New Year!
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