Virgin Australia Group is expanding its fleet servicing the regional fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and traveller markets in Western Australia.
The airline has ordered eight Embraer E190-E2 aircraft in a bid to secure the future growth of WA-based Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA).
Virgin is one of Australia’s largest FIFO operators. VARA, formerly Skywest, joined Virgin in 2013 and now operates more than 250 services per week.
CEO Jayne Hrdlicka says when the first new E190-E2 enters service from October 2025, it will be the first brand 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% compared to the outgoing F100,” she says.
“When the E190-E2 joins the fleet from late next year it will predominantly operate charter flights for VARA.”
Virgin says the E190-E2 will complement VARA’s fleet of larger narrowbodies and ultimately replace its long-serving Fokker 100 fleet.
WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti says the addition of the new aircraft is a major investment in the state’s regional aviation sector and will help grow the number of jobs.
VARA estimates around 150 new WA-based jobs will be created over the next three years.
The purchase is part of a group-wide fleet growth and renewal program that includes the acquisition of new Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft and the refurbishment of the airline’s existing 737 fleet.
At the same time, VARA is advancing construction of a new $35 million Perth Airport hangar, with opening slated for late 2024.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: Virgin Australia
