Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-232(WL) VH-YXU (ex JA12JJ) Finally Makes Visit to CQ at Hamilton Island Airport

On Sunday 15 May, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-232(WL) VH-YXU was finally noted making its first ever visit into Central Queensland, visiting Hamilton Island Airport, arriving from and later departing back to Sydney as JST848/9.

File photo

VH-YXU is the sixth and final recently delivered Airbus A320 aircraft that have entered service with Jetstar Airways that all previously operated with Jetstar Japan. This A320 was previously operated by Jetstar Japan as JA06JJ and was originally ferried to Alice Springs in December 2020. It was then placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-YXU with this registration marking 'taped' over the Japanese registration marking.

In January, VH-YXU departed Alice Springs for Singapore and pre-service maintenance.  It arrived back into Melbourne (Avalon) in early-February and ferried from there to Sydney and then Melbourne (Tullamarine) in early-March.  On Friday 11 March, VH-YXU entered service with Jetstar Australia.

As mentioned previously, fellow former Jetstar Japan A320s VH-YXS (ex JA17JJ), VH-YXT (ex JA23JJ / EC-LZF), VH-YXV (ex JA11JJ) , VH-YXW (ex JA18JJ) and VH-YXQ (ex JA12JJ) have all recently entered service with Jetstar Australia and have all at various times visited Central Queensland.

Finally, as also mentioned, a further three three former Jetstar Asia Airways (Singapore) A320s have also recently arrived into Australia and have also entered service with Jetstar Australia.  These are:  VH-XNI (ex 9V-JSN), VH-XNJ (ex 9V-JSP) and VH-XNN (ex 9V-JSM).

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 17 May, a fourth ex-Jetstar Asia Airways A320 9V-JSU arrived into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Singapore.  It is believed that it will take up the Australian registration marking of VH-XNP.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©