Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International) has begun transferring ten B737-800s, currently operating under the Virgin Australia (NZ) (Christchurch) Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), to its Australian AOC. Once all aircraft have been transferred across the Tasman Sea and Virgin Australia (NZ)'s AOC has been relinquished, Virgin Australia will remain with three Australian AOCs - Virgin Australia Regional, Virgin Australia International, and Tigerair Australia.
According to Australian Aviation News, ZK-PBA (msn 33796) was re-registered as VH-VOO on the Australian aircraft registry on January 30.
Despite the absence of a New Zealand-registered AOC, Virgin will continue with its New Zealand operations as under the terms of an open skies agreement signed in 2000, civil aviation regulators of Australia and New Zealand recognise each other's AOCs.
In line with Virgin CEO John Borghetti's plans to cut AUD1 billion (USD781 million) in costs by June 2017, Virgin is also planning to transfer its subsidiary's flight planning operations to Brisbane. It is understood, however, that there will be no change to Virgin’s New Zealand-based cabin crew and pilot numbers.
Operating as Pacific Blue Airlines (NZ) (Christchurch) until 2011, Virgin Australia (NZ) offers scheduled flights between New Zealand and Australia, and to the Pacific Islands. It withdrew from the New Zealand domestic market in 2011.
