David Eyre 
Photo © ATR
11 August 2011 (UPDATED 25 AUGUST 2011):
Skywest Airlines finally took delivery at Brisbane on 18 August 2011 of its first ATR 72-500, VH-FVH, which is also the first ATR 72 aircraft in Australia.
It was followed on 25 August by VH-FVI which also flew into Brisbane.
Following a handover eceremony in Toulouse, France on 11 August 2011, the first aircraft (VH-FVH) commenced its delivery flight. It used flight number SXT1131 (as it was ferried by Southern Cross Aviation) and the delivery route was Toulouse-Trabzon (Turkey)-Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)-Nagpur (India)-Penang (Malaysia)-Kupang (Indonesia)-Brisbane. The aircraft arrived in Brisbane on the evening of 18 August 2011.
On 20 August, VH-FVH flew from Brisbane to Bundaberg to attend an air show. On 25 August VH-FVH was conducting route proving flights, flying Brisbane – Port Macquarie – Brisbane – Gladstone – Brisbane
Skywest Airlines will operate its new ATR72s on behalf of Virgin Australia, under a 10-year contract between the airlines. Under this arrangement, the aircraft will be acquired by Skywest on 10-year lease from Avation PLC, for operation on behalf of Virgin Australia to expand Virgin’s regional network. All of the aircraft wear the Virgin Australia colourscheme.
Skywest is to lease from Avation PLC a total of 4 ATR 72-500s and 4 ATR 72-600s, plus 5 options. The aircraft have 68 all-Economy Class seats with 31-inch seat pitch.
The three other ATR 72-500s are to be delivered by the end of 2011, to be followed in 2012 by the 4 ATR 72-600s. The delivery of the aircraft has been delayed – it was first announced that they were to be delivered in May 2011.
Skywest recently announced the routes these aircraft will be operated on.
From 17 October 2011, Virgin Australia will start services with the Skywest ATR72s on the following routes:
- Brisbane to Gladstone – two services daily from 17 Oct 2011;
- Brisbane to Port Macquarie – one daily return service from 19 Oct 2011;
- Sydney to Canberra – up to six daiy return services (extra services) from 30 Oct 2011;
- Sydney to Port Macquarie – two services daily; (ATR72s replacing the current Embraer E170s) from 19 Oct 2011.
The first two aircraft are named after the Far North Queensland beaches:
-
VH-FVH (cn 954, ex F-WWEG) – named “Four-Mile Beach”
-
VH-FVI (cn 955, ex F-WWEH) – named “Mission Beach”.
The initial order is for eight aircraft with five options – the first four aircraft will be ATR72-500s, followed by four ATR72-600s. The ATR72-500s are powered by PW127M engines, and are to be replaced in 2012 by ATR72-600s. The -600s have more powerful PW127F engines, and more advanced flight decks and cabins.
