Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-IWQ (ex 9V-MGI) First Visit to CQ at Proserpine and Hamilton Island Airports - Plus Other Fleet Updates!

On Friday 3 December, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-IWQ 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-IWQ was photographed above on the ground after it made its first visit to CQ operating from Brisbane on the VOZ1113/4 service to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  VH-IWQ then operated the VOZ1497/8 service to Hamilton Island Airport also from and back to Brisbane.

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

After being promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-IWQ and making two visits to Townsville for a full re-paint, a new interior with 168 seats (8 Business & 160 Economy) was added to the B737-800 which was also recently unveiled.

VH-IWQ heads to Townsville for a re-paint

VH-IWQ departs Brisbane Airport in full Virgin Australia livery

Virgin Australia

VH-IWQ entered service with Virgin Australia on Saturday 20 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-MGF was delivered to Virgin Australia in Brisbane in early October with it promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-IJQ before it was the re-painted also in Townsville during October.  VH-IJQ has only just entered service with Virgin Australia in the last week.

9V-MGG was delivered to Virgin Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday 10 November with it promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-IJU before it too was the re-painted also in Townsville during November.  VH-IJU is yet to enter service.

And 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.

UPDATE!  VH-IWX was re-painted into an all-white livery in Townsville during the early part of December.

Finally, after arriving back into Australia in October as N343CG following storage in the USA, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUJ has re-entered service with the airline in mid-November.  However, at the time of writing, it hasn't yet called into Central Queensland.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Lloyd Fox  ©