10.2. Boeing 767-9X Nullarbor Australian Air Lines "2015-"

Nullarbor's love affair with the Boeing 767 began in the early 2000s, when the airline inherited a small fleet of -300ERs from bankrupt Australian startup OzAir. The 767 worked quite well alongside the Airbus A310 and Boeing 757 on the medium haul routes to New Zealand and Indonesia, and Nullarbor was very happy with the plane, with it being small, easy to fill, cheap and efficient for the time. In fact, of the 11 -300ERs received from OzAir, 6 are still in service, with plans to keep them in service well into the 2020s.

Then, in 2017, Boeing officially launched the upgraded 767X. Based on the previous generation 767, the new plane featured several new features to bring the design into the modern era. Some of these features include the General Electric GEnx engines from the 787 and 747-8, newer raked wingtips, larger, 777X-style windows and stabiliser extensions inspired by those of the 787.

Nullarbor, having heard about this incredible new airliner, was ecstatic, and placed an order for 25 units of the 767-9X, the first one of which arrived in June 2019. Since then, the airline has received a fleet of 6 767-9s, with the rest of the fleet still on order. The last one is due to be delivered to the airline in 2027. The airline has also expressed great interest in the shorter model of the family, the 767-8X, and is even planning to be the international launch customer for the shorter model, which will replace the 757 fleet on domestic flights. In addition, the airline is expected to receive its first 767-9F very soon, to be operated by Nullarbor World Freight.

Shown above is VH-SME, Nullarbor's fifth 767-9X, delivered in February 2020. The 767Xs will follow the 787's pattern of being named after iconic Australian things, with VH-SME being named "Wallaby". The 767-9Xs will take over the New Zealand and Indonesian routes from the A310 and 767-300ER, which will then begin to be retired. It will also enable the beginning of retirement of Nullarbor's A330-200 fleet, which is preparing to be phased out.

Been experimenting with a custom effects mod and shading that I'm planning to use for all non-FlyHigh templates. Does it look good? Lemme know what y'all think.

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