As previously reported, Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZI and Qantas Airways Airbus A330-200 VH-EBV each flew two charter flights between Singapore / Changi Intl and Rockhampton last weekend on behalf of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Three of the four flights transporting SAF personnel to Central Queensland for 'Exercise Wallaby 2016' touched down at the beef capital after sunset. While challenging, this also provided an opportunity to capture photo's under lights.
The first aircraft to arrive after sunset on Saturday, September 17 was Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZI, and was followed later that evening by Qantas Airways Airbus A330-200 VH-EBV.
After offloading the troops and their belongings, both aircraft returned to Changi Intl Airport, Singapore, where they took onboard more Singapore Armed Forces personnel for the trip to Rockhampton. The second visit to the beef capital saw ZK-NZI touch down shortly after midday on Sunday, September 18, followed by VH-EBV later that evening.
Concluding the first wave of chartered troop flights, ZK-NZI flew empty to Auckland, New Zealand and VH-EBV onwards to Melbourne / Tullamarine where each aircraft returned to normal RPT services a short while later.
It is expected the second wave of chartered troop flights that will ferrying SAF personnel between Singapore and Rockhampton will occur early October.
