Saturday, August 6, 2011

FOCUS ON: Virgin Australia's Embraer ERJ-190 (E-190) Jets at Rockhampton Airport


My visits to Rockhampton Airport over the last few weeks have allowed me to photograph nearly the entire fleet of Vigin Australia Embraer ERJ-190 (E-190) regional jets.


One Brisbane spotter was heard to say that Rockhampton was "Embraer central", although I would say Brisbane itself would see more Embraer movements in a day!


Most of the 4-5 daily Virgin Australia flights to Rockhampton from Brisbane are flown by the E-190s, with the occasional Boeing B737-700/800 substituted as shown below with B737-700 VH-VBP operating one afternoon.


Incidentally Rockhampton Airport still sees Virgin Australia's Embraer ERJ-170 (E-170) aircraft with a thrice weekly Sydney to Rockhampton to Townsville and return service flown by these soon to be replaced aircraft. E-170 VH-ZHD and VH-ZHF are shown below operating recent flights on this run.



My time in Rockhampton has also allowed me to share the various colour schemes that these Virgin Australia E-190s currently wear.

Firstly VH-ZPE and VH-ZPH are shown below in the livery of Virgin Blue - the previous identity of Virgin Australia.



VH-ZPM is shown below in Pacific Blue Airlines livery.


Pacific Blue is Virgin Australia's New Zealand based subsidiary airline that flies mostly services across the Tasman Sea. These E-190s have never actually flown for Pacific Blue despite wearing the livery.

Earlier in 2011 it was announced that Virgin Australia had secured the rights as the official air carrier of the Australian Football League (AFL). To promote this partnership, Virign applied decals to two of its aircraft, a Boeing B737-800 and an E-190. VH-ZPQ is shown below wearing these special decals.


VH-ZPQ was originally delivered in an all white livery before having the decals applied in April.

Pictured below still wearing its all white delivery colour scheme is Virgin Australia's latest E-190, VH-ZPR.



VH-ZPR has since had the new Virgin Australia livery applied. Adam P managed to catch VH-ZPR in Mackay recently, shortly after it returned to service. This aircraft is Virgin Australia's first E-190 to wear their new livery.

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