VH-XZQ made its first visit to CQ operating into Mackay Airport on the QFA984/5 service from and back to Brisbane.
As mentioned, the B737-800 was previously operated by SilkAir (now merged with Singapore Airlines) as 9V-MGK and was registered to and delivered to Qantas Airways at Brisbane in September 2025. It was then placed in storage.
In early March this year, VH-XZQ was removed from storage at Brisbane and completed a test flight before it then entered service at the start of March. It entered service in an all white livery, however it has just been re-painted in Townsville and re-entered service only yesterday on Sunday 12 April.
VH-XZQ has been given the name 'Airlie Beach'.
It was announced mid-last year that Qantas was to acquire four additional Boeing B737-800 aircraft from to expand capacity as delivery delays impact its new Airbus A321XLR order. The leased jets were previously operated by Singapore Airlines (SilkAir) and would be planned to enter service by the end of 2025.
They are reported to be 9V-MGK (to become VH-XZQ), 9V-MGL (VH-XZR), 9V-MGM (VH-XZS) and 9V-MGN (VH-XZT).
Each will be painted into the Qantas Airways livery and have 'new' interiors fitted prior to them entering service.
Photos taken by Gareth Ruhe and Graham Aspinall ©
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