Whilst on Holiday in Nelson (NZ) I saw 6 Virgin Australia ATR-500’s.
My first thought was that Virgin Aus might start regional services in NZ. However on closer inspection I noticed that all of them had Aussie registrations.
So as Nelson is Air New Zealand’s maintenance hub for it’s turboprop aircraft, and remembering that Air New Zealand brought new ATR-72’s last year, I reckon they have sold some of their older ATR-500’s to Virgin Australia. They then had them fitted out for their new company in Nelson before flying trans-tasman to begin more regional services in Australia.
I was wondering if anyone else knew anything more on this, or just other ideas or comments on this subject.
Yeah, I saw the ATR72 while on the ground as well, I have no clue why there were there. Maybe a transfer of aircraft or maybe just selling them, who knowz
Virgin Australia is phasing out the older ATR 72-500s and replacing them with the newer 72-600s. They are storing the -500s at NZNS until they are sold. Air NZ probably won’t buy them because they have ordered heaps of -600s and are phasing out their -500s as well.
Yes, that’s what I thought, but forgot to mention above. Also it’s a nice, easy handover, as there a no logistical problems for getting them to Australia, or ready for the new company.