VH-VUV Boeing 737-8FE

VH-VUV. Boeing 737-8FE. c/n 37821-3288.

Was also registered as: VH-PAG.

This aircraft was ordered new by Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VUV - April 21, 2010

Registered to VB LH 2010-11 No 2 Pty Ltd, Spring Hill, Queensland

Leased to Virgin Blue as the registered operator

Rolled off the Boeing production line at Seattle (Renton) with winglets - May 06, 2010

First flown in the Virgin Blue livery as 'N1786B' - May 13, 2010

The aircraft was named 'Ruby Blue'

Accepted by Virgin Blue at Seattle (Boeing Field) - May 27, 2010

Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on the delivery flight to Australia as DJ9082 - May 28, 2010

It arrived at Brisbane on completion of the delivery flight - May 30, 2010

Delivery route: Seattle - Lihue - Nadi - Brisbane

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) as DJ986 - June 03, 2010

Virgin Blue was renamed Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd - May 04, 2011

It was involved in a breakdown of airspace separation near Ceduna - November 08, 2011

To view the ATSB report on this incident please click 'HERE'

Registered to Virgin Australia 2013-1 Issuer Co Pty Ltd, Spring Hill, Queensland - November 07, 2013

Operated its last service in Virgin Blue livery Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Brisbane as VA353 - January 28, 2014

Ferried Brisbane - Townsville for repainting -as VA9947 January 28, 2014

Repainted by Flying Colours into the standard 'Virgin Australia' livery - January 28 - February 10, 2014

The aircraft was renamed 'Binalong Bay'

Returned to service Townsville - Brisbane as VA362 - February 10, 2014

It was withdrawn from service when Virgin Australia suspended operations - March 27, 2020

This aircraft was earmarked for lease to REX Regional Express

Reregistered as VH-PAG - February 09, 2021

Registered to Aircraft Leasing VII Pty Ltd, London

Leased to Regional Express Pty Ltd, Sydney as the registered operator

Operated the inaugural Sydney (Kingsford Smith - 12:57 AEST) - Gold Coast (13:00 AET) service as

Flight ZL540 - April 01, 2021

Operated its final service Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - Melbourne (Tullamaine) as ZL161 - July 10, 2024

REX Regional Express entered voluntary administration due to financial difficulties - July 30, 2024

It had been stored at Melbourne (Tullamarine) since its last flight - July 10, 2024

Stored at Melbourne (Tullamarine) pending return to the lessor

Current status - ?

VH-VUV. Virgin Blue - 'Ruby Blue' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, July 16, 2010.

(R. Brown Copyright Image 4621-155.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Blue - 'Ruby Blue' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, December 27, 2011.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4621-158.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Blue - 'Ruby Blue' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, May 07, 2012.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4621-157.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Blue - 'Ruby Blue' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, June 02, 2012.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4623-209.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Blue - 'Ruby Blue' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, July 21, 2013.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4621-159.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Blue - 'Ruby Blue' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, October 07, 2013.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4623-210.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Blue - 'Ruby Blue' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, January 19, 2014.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4623-208.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Australia - 'Binalong Bay' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, January 25, 2016.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4621-153.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Australia - 'Binalong Bay' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, April 16, 2017.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4623-211.)

VH-VUV. Virgin Australia - 'Binalong Bay' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, November 17, 2018.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4622-503.)

VH-PAG. REX Regional Express - in the standard livery with additional 'Our heart is in the country' titles livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, April 10, 2021.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4622-895.)

VH-PAG. REX Regional Express - in the standard livery with additional 'Our heart is in the country' titles livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, September 17, 2022.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4623-069.)

VH-PAG. REX Regional Express - in the standard livery with additional 'Our heart is in the country' titles livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, November 25, 2023.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 4623-248.)

VH-PAG. REX Regional Express - in the standard livery with additional 'Our heart is in the country' titles livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, January 28, 2024.