The Aircraft above has a similar colour scheme to the Virgin Airline's red and white livery.

In the year 2000 or it may have been 2001, Virgin Airlines, then known as Virgin Blue in the Australian and New Zealand market, commenced services into Adelaide airport. At that time, Adelaide was not exactly blessed with the new and modern airport we have today. The old one had been in use since the 1950's and it was cramped, dingy and overcrowded; well past its use-by date. Plans were underway for our new one, but I can't remember whether it had even been started in 2000. Therefore because of this overcrowding, Virgin Blue had to operate out of the old Adelaide International Airport, likewise not the city's greatest asset.

The early 2000's was also a time of great upheaval; the 9/11 incident happened and things were bad for airlines worldwide. Besides this, Ansett Airlines, who I'd once worked for collapsed due to some seriously bad management. People's jobs had either been lost or were in jeopardy. During this period I was working at the domestic airport in the Newslink book/ magazine and gift shop. I really enjoyed this work, and I found it very stimulating seeing aircraft everyday, hearing them rev up and the general hustle and bustle. It reminded me of old times ( see 'Here,There and Everywhere' which relates many of my air-hostess experiences).

I talked a lot about my work at home,so our two kids, then aged seven and thirteen were well aware of the latest happenings at Adelaide airport. Mostly, I'd drive myself to work and often would have to rise at about four in the morning if it was my turn to open up the shop at five thirty. One weekend I remember my husband driving me to work. The two kids were along for the ride, as I was about to do an afternoon shift. As we drove through the airport gates and neared the main terminal, there were some aircraft sitting out on the tarmac. None of them was a Virgin Blue plane and our son piped up:

 'Where are all the Virgins parked?'  He sounded quite put out that he couldn't see any of the new Virgins anywhere.

Naturally we all cracked up laughing. Our son was puzzled of course and demanded;

'What's so funny about that?'

I can't remember how we explained this double entendre to suit a seven-year-old, but he understood that we weren't laughing at him, just his unintended joke. We still remind him of this along with other embarrassing anecdotes.( especially in front of girlfriends).

Today the old Adelaide terminal has been demolished and in 2006 the brand spanking new one was opened,after many delays due to contaminated fuel lines. Our airport is now both domestic and international, as are most airports these days. I worked at Newslink until March 2008 ( I'd started in 1998) so was able to enjoy the new modern facilities, cafes and shops and the light, bright, shiny and spacious airport it is today.

I do own a book, purchased during my flying years, all about the old Adelaide Airport, which has fabulous photos of old DC6's, DC3's, Lockheed Electras and the first jets; DC9's and the Boeing 727-100; containing many special memories within its pages.