Exercise Wallaby 2016 - New Air New Zealand B787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZJ and B777-200 ZK-OKE Final Visits to Rockhampton Airport Monday

While the departure of some of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing F-15SG 'Shikra' Strike Eagles was a highlight, during the afternoon and evening on Monday 3 October, both Air New Zealand Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZJ and Boeing B777-200 ZK-OKE both called back into Rockhampton Airport operating the final inbound and outbound flights in the second 'wave' of heavy jet charters in support of the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2016.

ZK-NZJ arrived during the middle of the afternoon - and during a rain shower - as ANZ1925 direct from Singapore's Changi Airport.

 

Of interest, the damage sustained by the 'bat strike' mentioned below has been clearly marked including the engineering approval for the Dreamliner to continue flying.

After unloading and then loading a full load of passengers and cargo, ZK-NZJ returned to Singapore but as ANZ1926.

ZK-NZJ has since positioned empty back to Auckland as ANZ6007.

Soon after the Dreamliner departed, B777-200 ZK-OKE also touched down at Rockhampton Airport direct from Singapore but as ANZ1943.

It too unloaded and loaded a full load of passengers and cargo and also returned direct to Singapore but as ANZ1944.

ZK-OKE has since been scheduled to position back to Auckland but as ANZ6015.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Kayanne H and 'IAD' who both took the time to capture and send through these great photos as the second 'wave' of Exercise Wallaby 2016 heavy jet charters come to an end.  I believe there is another wave of charter flights in around two-weeks time.

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and 'IAD'  ©