Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZR (ex 9V-MGL) First Visit to CQ at Mackay Airport

On Monday 27 April, Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZR was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland after it was acquired by the airline from Singapore Airlines (SilkAir).

VH-XZR 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-MGL and was  registered to and delivered to Qantas Airways at Alice Springs in October 2025.  

In early March this year, VH-XZR was ferried across from Alice Springs to Brisbane before it then entered service at the start of April.  As shown, it currently wears an all white livery.

UPDATE!  In late May, VH-XZR was re-painted in Townsville into the standard 'silver roo' Qantas Airways livery.  It was also given the name 'Tathra'.  VH-XZR looked to make its first visit into CQ at Mackay Airport once again as QFA984/5 wearing this new livery on Monday 25 May.

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.

File photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©