26 June 2015 – Copyright © David Eyre
Qantas resumed regularly scheduled Qantas international flights from Perth, with the departure today of flight QF71 to Singapore, operated by Boeing 737-800 VH-XZP ‘James Strong’, which has the special ‘Retro Roo’ livery.
QF71 departed with a full passenger load just after midday and the aircraft was given a water cannon salute by fire crews as it taxied out.
Qantas had ceased operating regular international flights from Perth on 11 May 2014, with the final Perth-Singapore-Perth service operated by Airbus A330-200 VH-EBI. The route had been controversially dropped due to “under-performing”. A temporary Singapore service with A330s operated during July 2014.
QF71/72 operates five times per week using 168-seat Boeing 737-800s, but if demand increases, then it could be up scaled to an A330. The departs Perth at midday and arrives in Singapore at 5.20pm, with the return flight departing Singapore at 6.25pm, arriving into Perth at 11.40pm.
Singapore is the second largest source of foreign visitors to Perth. About 80,000 Singapore visitors travelled to WA between September 2013 and September 2014, spending a total of $193 million around the state.
More than 50 flights per week operate between Perth and Singapore. Singapore Airlines, Scoot and Jetstar Asia also operate on the route.
Love the old skool look.
Would like to have seen Travolta’s B707 – in the same livery, do the honours, though.
Likely, he would have loved it, so long as QF paid the kero bill.