On This Day - February 17, 1936.

The Ansett Airways Fokker F.XI Universal VH-UTO operated the airline's first passenger service, flying from Hamilton (Victoria) to Melbourne (Essendon). The service was operated from Monday to Friday.

 

 

On This Day - February 17, 1955.

The Trans-Australia Airlines Douglas C-47A-35-DL VH-AEZ 'Currie' operated its final freight service. It was sold to East-West Airlines the next day.

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On This Day - February 17, 1963.

The Qantas Airways Boeing 707-138B VH-EBE 'City of Perth' was ferried from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) to Christchurch (New Zealand) for Queen Elizabeth IIs Royal Tour. The flight took 2 hours 19 minutes and it was first Boeing 707 to visit New Zealand.

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On This Day - February 17, 1979.

The NAC New Zealand National Airways Corporation Fokker F.27-5183 Friendship ZK-NFC was destroyed when it crashed into Auckland's Manukau Harbour (New Zealand) whilst landing at Auckland Airport. Two of the four occupants were killed.

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On This Day - February 17, 1980.

The ex Air Express Douglas DC-4-1009, now registered as N5581S, departed Melbourne (Essendon) on its ferry flight to the United States (San Francisco), on delivery to Basler Air Freight. For some reason the incorrect registration 'N5581T' had been painted on the aircraft before it departed.

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On This Day - February 17, 2011.

The Qantas Airways Boeing 737-838 ZK-ZQE 'William Pickering' arrived at Melbourne (Tullamarine) having completed its delivery flight from the United States. It was the airline's 166th Boeing airliner and its 46th Boeing 737.

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On This Day - February 17, 2011.

The Virgin Blue Boeing 737-8FE VH-VUZ was rolled out at Melbourne (Tullamarine) in the 'Virgin Blue Proudly Flying The Fold Coast Suns' livery. It returned to service later that day operating Flight DJ303 from Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith).

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On This Day - February 17, 2012.

The Virgin Australia Boeing 737-8FE VH-YIG 'Kings Beach' entered service, operating Flight DJ1384 from Brisbane to Adelaide (West Beach).

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On This Day - February 17, 2014.

The Jetstar Airways Airbus A330-202 VH-EBR operated its last passenger service as Flight JQ4 from the United States (Honolulu) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith). The aircraft was returned to Qantas Airways and repainted into the 'New Roo' livery at Singapore.

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On This Day - February 17, 2019.

The Qantas Airways Boeing 747-438 VH-OJS 'Hamilton Island' operated its last revenue service as Flight QF73 from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) to San Francisco (United States). The elapsed time was 12 hours 45 minutes.

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On This Day - February 17, 2023.

The Bonza Aviation Boeing 737-Max 8 VH-UKH 'Malc' arrived at Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast) having completed its delivery flight from the United States (Seattle / Boeing Field) as Flight AB004.

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