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VH-VUQ. Boeing 737-8FE. c/n 36605-2710. Was also registered as: ZK-PBL. |
Ordered new by Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B26 engines Rolled off the Boeing production line at Seattle (Boeing Field) with winglets - July 29, 2008 First flown as 'N1784B' in the standard Pacific Blue livery - August 07, 2008 Was to be entered on the Australian Aircraft Register as 'VH-VUQ' but it was not taken up Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-PBL - August 28, 2008 Leased to Pacific Blue Airlines (N.Z.) Ltd, Christchurch as the registered operator Aircraft named 'Canterbury Belle' Accepted by Virgin Blue at Seattle - August 27, 2008 Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on the delivery flight to New Zealand as DJ9086 - August 27, 2008 It arrived at Christchurch on completion of the delivery flight - August 29, 2008 Delivery route: Seattle - Lihue - Nadi - Christchurch Operated its first revenue service Christchurch - Brisbane as DJ81 - September 02, 2008 Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - April 02, 2009 Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VUQ - April 03, 2009 Registered to BOC Aviation USA Ltd Corp, Spring Hill Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) in 'Pacific Blue' livery as DJ950 - April 11, 2009 Operated its final revenue service Brisbane - Melbourne (Tullamarine) as DJ342 - March 17, 2010 Ferried Melbourne - Christchurch in the 'Pacific Blue' livery - March 18, 2010 Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - March 22, 2010 Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-PBL - March 23, 2010 Leased to Pacific Blue Airlines (NZ) Ltd as the registered operator Operated its first revenue service Christchurch - Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Auckland as DJ06 /164 - March 27, 2010 Pacific Blue was renamed Virgin Australia Airlines (NZ) - December 2011 Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - ? Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VUQ - March 16, 2015 Registered to Sale Cayman (35077) Limited, Georgetown, Cayman Islands Leased to Virgin Australia Airlines, Spring Hill, Queensland as the registered operator The aircraft was renamed 'Merewether Beach' Registered to Aircraft Leasing IV Limited, London, United Kingdom - March 30, 2021 Leased to Virgin Australia Airlines, Spring Hill, Queensland as the registered operator Current with Virgin Australia Airlines |
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VH-VUQ. Pacific Blue - 'Canterbury Belle' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, September 20, 2009. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-561.) |
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ZK-PBL. Pacific Blue - 'Canterbury Belle' in the standard livery at Christchurch Airport, December 17, 2012. (Z. Rae Collection Copyright Image 4621-470.) |
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VH-VUQ. Virgin Australia - 'Merewether Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, April 20, 2015. (T. Haynes Collection Copyright Image 4621-020.) |
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VH-VUQ. Virgin Australia - 'Merewether Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, August 28, 2016. (T. Haynes Collection Copyright Image 4621-534.) |
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VH-VUQ. Virgin Australia - 'Merewether Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, August 19, 2017. (T. Haynes Collection Copyright Image 4623-425.) |
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VH-VUQ. Virgin Australia - 'Merewether Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, October 24, 2024. (T. Haynes Collection Copyright Image 4623-423.) |
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VH-VUQ. Virgin Australia - 'Merewether Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, October 24, 2024. (T. Haynes Collection Copyright Image 4623-422.) |