Virgin Australia are of course a regular sight across NZ flying international services with their VONZ (Virgin of New Zealand nee Pacific Blue) fleet of ZK registered Boeing 737-800's with the periodic use of VH-VOX when maintenance requirements remove a ZK aircraft from service. And then there are the regular visits to Christchurch by both -700 and -800 NG's visiting the Air NZ maintenance facility.
But the arrival at Wellington 23 April of Boeing 737-800 VH-YIB was noteworthy as it not only originated from Melbourne from where Virgin do not operate flights to Wellington from but also it has remained at Wellington since arriving mid afternoon. It seems the aircraft, using the flight number VOZ4170, is on an Australian Football League charter with the Melbourne St Kilda Saints and Sydney Swans set to play at the Cake Tin on Anzac Day.
VH-YIB has only visited NZ once before, and that was on its delivery flight. It arrived at Christchurch on 02 September 2011 from Boeing Field via Lihue and Nadi and departing 5 days later for Brisbane.
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2011/09/brand-spanking.html |
| Arriving at Wellington 23 April 2013 |
