Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-IJQ (ex 9V-MGF) First Visit to CQ at Proserpine and Hamilton Island Airports

On Friday 17 December, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-IJQ was photographed and noted making its first visit into a couple of Central Queensland Airports after it was acquired by the airline from Singapore Airlines (SilkAir).

VH-IJQ made its first visit to CQ operating from and back to Brisbane on the VOZ605/608 service to Mackay Airport before it was then spotted operating the VOZ1497/8 service to Hamilton Island Airport, again from and back to Brisbane.

As mentioned below, B737-800 was previously operated by SilkAir (now merged with Singapore Airlines) as 9M-MGF and was delivered to Virgin Australia in Brisbane in October.

After being promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and VH-IJQ, it spent a couple of weeks at Townsville where it was re-painted in to the full Virgin Australia livery.

VH-IJQ departs Brisbane Airport for Townsville  (File photo)

VH-IJQ returns to Brisbane Airport following a re-paint  (File photo)

VH-IJQ entered service with Virgin Australia on Monday 29 November and is the second third ex-SilkAir B737-800 to do so following VH-IWQ.

UPDATE!  Also on Friday 17 December, VH-IJU (ex 9V-MGG) also entered service with Virgin Australia.  It was delivered and re-painted during November.

As mentioned below, Virgin Australia will take delivery of seven former SilkAir B737-800 aircraft. With SilkAir now merged with parent airline, Singapore Airlines, these aircraft were deemed surplus to requirements. SilkAir moved to dispose of the planes earlier this year. It is reported these aircraft are 9V-MGF, 9V-MGG, 9V-MGH, 9V-MGI, 9V-MGJ, 9V-MGP, and 9V-MGQ.

9V-MGP was delivered to Virgin Australia in Brisbane on Tuesday 23 November with it promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-IWX.  It was re-painted into an all-white livery in Townsville during the early part of December.  VH-IWX is yet to enter service with Virgin Australia.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 18 December, VH-IWX entered service with Virgin Australia (!).

And 9V-MGH was delivered to Virgin Australia in Brisbane on Thursday 9 December with it promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-IJW.  It is currently in Townsville being re-painted.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Lloyd Fox  ©