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Virgin Australia has had to scramble to get one of its new Airbus A330s ready for its maiden service this week after the aircraft clipped a stationary Jetstar A330 while being towed around Melbourne Airport late last week.
Virgin said the wingtip of the A330 (reported to be VH-XFC) was slightly damaged, and the carrier was reportedly having parts flown in from overseas to make repairs. A spokesman confirmed, however, that the aircraft’s entry service will go-ahead “as planned”.
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Jetstar said it was assessing the damage to its aircraft (VH-EBB).
No one was hurt in the bingle, which occurred as the Virgin aircraft was towed into position in a maintenance hangar.
Virgin has taken delivery of two new A330-200s in recent weeks and will use the aircraft as its domestic flagship as it seeks to capture a larger share of the business market. Featuring 24 lie-flat business class seats and 255 economy class seats, the aircraft will be used primarily on trans-continental routes connecting Sydney and Melbourne with Perth.
Virgin already operates a pair of second-hand A330, and plans to take delivery of a third new A330 later this year.
