National Jet Express (NJE) Dash-8-Q400s VH-IYV and VH-8QB Touch Down at Gladstone Airport to Escape TC Alfred - Plus More!

On Wednesday 5 March, two-thirds of the Brisbane-based fleet of National Jet Express (NJE) Dash-8-Q400 turboprops touched down at Gladstone Airport for parking to escape the impending rain and wind associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

VH-IYV arrived first from Brisbane as JTE507 before VH-8QB arrived later in the day, also from Brisbane but as JTE506.  They are looking to be remaining parked on the taxiway at Gladstone Airport for the time being.

Of interest, it is reported that the third National Jet Dash-8-Q400 VH-8QA will be parked at Cairns during the Cyclone.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 9 March, VH-IYV departed Gladstone Airport for Brisbane as JTE506 and VH-8QB departed Gladstone Airport for Brisbane as JTE508.

While up at Rockhampton Airport, three McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna Citation bizjets touched down also to escape the impeding cyclonic conditions in the South-East corner of the State.  VH-PIY as "Machflight 41", VH-ZIY as "Machflight 421" and VH-SUY as "Machflight 74" were all photographed arriving into Rocky from the Sunshine Coast.

And there were several diversions around the region, with aircraft reportedly taking on additional fuel before proceeding to Brisbane where several aircraft are being delayed before landing.  

QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOR as QLK851D arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Roma Airport before later departing to Brisbane.

Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-A2U as UTY713 also arrived into Rockhampton Airport but from Cloncurry Airport and then departed to Brisbane.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NUU as UTY4359 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Moranbah Airport and then departed to Brisbane. 

And Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC as UTY8861 landed at Emerald Airport from Trepell and then departed to Brisbane. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 5 March, Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Emerald Airport from Brisbane on a couple of occasions before finishing the day at Goulburn.  Of interest, over the last couple of days, VH-VEW had also visited Clermont Aerodrome, Collinsville Aerodrome and Mackay Airport, plus Oaky Creek Mine site.

Brisbane-based  Cessna 310R VH-NBI arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield to avoid the weather. 

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and Goondiwindi and then departed back to Toowoomba. 

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH landed at Emerald Airport from Townsville then departed to Toowoomba and Archerfield. 

NQ Heli-Worx Eurocopter EC135 T1 helicopter VH-MXW was also noted at Emerald Airport and departed heading West.

Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitak 420" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport before it then departed to Bundaberg Airport. 

Rotorco Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-LDH flew up from Redcliffe to Gayndah Aerodrome and then further north. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 6 March, VH-LDH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from North of Townsville. 

M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH flew across from Devoncourt to Kierawonga, North-West of Rockhampton.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

UPDATE! On Thursday 6 March, VH-FKB departed Clermont Aerodrome and returned to Toowoomba.

Fly Australia Charter Cessna 207 VH-UBT arrived into Mackay Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before later departing to Townsville.

Finally, late on Tuesday 4 March, Nauru Airlines 'classic' Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane as RON 930/1.  This is reportedly a closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight and more are planned!

Photos taken by Jamie C and Steve Vit  ©