End of an era – Qantas bids farewell to first Boeing 717

Qantas marked the end of an era today with the departure of the first Boeing 717 registered in Australia. The aircraft was built in 1999 and arrived in Australia in April 2000, joining the fleet of Impulse Airlines. Post the takeover of Impulse Airways the aircraft joined the QantasLink fleet in May 2001 before joining the Jetstar fleet, operating the new airline’s first flight in May 2004. The aircraft is the third Boeing 717 to leave the fleet and is due to leave Australia in mid-June before being sold to another major carrier. Qantas said that, because of the aircraft’s limited range,