Virgin Australia has placed a firm order for eight Embraer E190-E2 jets, which will be based in Perth, Western Australia. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery beginning in the second half of 2025.
On Tuesday (August 13, 2024), Embraer announced that Virgin Australia has placed a firm order for eight Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. As deliveries begin in the second half of 2025, the carrier will base the new single-aisle fleet in Perth, Western Australia, which will then be operated by Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA). The quiet and fuel-efficient E190-E2s will complement the carrier’s larger single-aisle aircraft, while replacing their long-serving Fokker fleet. Virgin Australia’s New E190-E2s will be powered by Pratt &Whitney PW1900G engines. The new order will be reflected in Embraer’s Q3 2024 order backlog
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In Tuesday’s announcement, Virgin Australia Group’s CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said,
“When the new E190-E2 enters service from October 2025, it will become the first new aircraft in the WA charter market this century. The E190-E2 is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its segment and will reduce emissions by about 30 per cent compared to the outgoing F100. These aircraft also feature significantly lower noise profiles and enhanced passenger comfort.
“When the E190-E2 joins the fleet from late next year it will predominantly operate charter flights for VARA, bolstering its position as a leading operator in the WA charter market. This is a huge vote of confidence by the Virgin Australia Group in our charter business and the WA market.”
Also commenting on the new aircraft order, Embraer Commercial Aviation’s Chief Commercial officer, Martyn Holmes, said,
“The E2 is a game changer. We are excited to welcome Virgin Australia to the Embraer family and look forward to seeing our best in class E2 - renowned for comfort, quietness, and low emissions – take the Airline to even greater heights.”
Signing Ceremony Between Virgin Australia and Embraer for the Purchase of Eight Embraer E190-E2 Aircraft - Courtesy Embraer
Compared to the first generation E-Jets which took flight 20 years ago, the E190-E2’s offers enhanced aerodynamics, novel wing design, and new technologies, that combine to deliver significant reductions in fuel use and emissions. The aircraft is currently certified to fly on 50 percent SAF blends, and flight tests have demonstrated that the aircraft’s engines can operate with 100 percent SAF.
Renderings of Virgin Australia's New E190-E2 Aircraft - Courtesy Embraer
Formerly Skywest, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) has been a fixture in the skies of Western Australia for over six decades. VARA joined Virgin Australia in 2013, and currently operates over 250 flights weekly. Founded in 2000 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Australia is one of the country’s largest airlines, operating an extensive domestic network, International short-haul flights, charter and cargo operations, as well as the Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program. The Group has over 7,800 team members and more than 12 million Velocity members.
Source: Virgin Australia
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