Recently Delivered Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YQR (ex VH-YFP) First Visit to CQ at Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 12 June, Virgin Australia Boeing B738-800 VH-YQR was noted making its first visit to Central Queensland, arriving into Rockhampton Airport as VOZ1245 from Brisbane.  It then departed back to Brisbane from Rocky early on Sunday 13 June and then also operated flights into Mackay Airport where it seems to be spending Sunday night.

VH-YQR at Brisbane Airport

This was the first time that the recently (re-)delivered aircraft has visited Central Queensland since it was returned to Australia in early-May.

The B737-800 was previously operated by Virgin Australia as VH-YFP and was one of five aircraft that were re-registered and ferried back to lessors in the USA in 2020. VH-YFP took up the registration marking 2-VYFP and ferried out of Australia in mid-September 2020.

On Monday 3 May, 2-VYFP arrived back in Australia from the USA and promptly took up the registration marking of VH-YQR. It re-entered services with Virgin Australia on Wednesday 2 June.

Of interest, it appears that VH-YQR is still named 'Nobby's Beach'.

The fourth and fifth Boeing B737-800s VH-YQH (ex VH-YFI / 2-VYFI) and VH-YQG (ex VH-YFG / 2-VYFG) are due for delivery in July. We hope to see them both back in CQ soon.

Photo taken by Simon Coates  ©