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Tuesday 13 August 2024: Virgin Australia Group has placed eight firm orders for Embraer E190-E2 aircraft in a significant investment which will secure the future growth of its WA-based regional and charter business, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA).

The E190-E2, which is the world’s most fuel efficient single-aisle jet aircraft [1] with the lowest noise profile of any aircraft in its segment [2], will complement VARA’s fleet of larger narrowbodies and ultimately replace its long-serving Fokker 100 fleet.

The new aircraft will support the creation of 150 new, WA-based jobs in the VARA business over the next three years.

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the new aircraft would improve performance, reliability and customer comfort.

“When the first new E190-E2 enters service from October 2025 [3], it will become the first brand new aircraft in the WA charter market this century,” she said.

“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 [4]. 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.”

Embraer Commercial Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Martyn Holmes said the E2 was 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.”

Deputy Premier of Western Australia and Treasurer, Minister for Transport and Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Rita Saffioti said:

“This is a major investment in our state’s regional aviation sector and will help to grow the amount of jobs available within Western Australia,” she said.

“Our Government is making enormous investments to make flying more affordable than ever before for regional Western Australians, and our support for regional aviation gives airlines like Virgin Australia confidence to invest back into Western Australia.

“We will continue to prioritise affordable, efficient and reliable aviation for regional families.”

The E190-E2 will be configured in Embraer’s signature two by two seating. The aircraft has a flying range of around six hours and is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1900G engines.

Building upon the first-generation E-Jet’s 20 years of operational excellence, the E190-E2’s enhanced aerodynamics, novel wing design, and new technologies deliver significant improvements in carbon emissions and fuel burn. It has been certified to fly with blends of up to 50 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and has demonstrated through test flights the engine’s compatibility with 100 per cent SAF [5].

The acquisition of new aircraft for VARA is part of a significant 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.

The announcement comes as construction of VARA’s new $35 million Perth Airport hangar continues, with opening expected in late 2024. 

ENDS.

Media contact: Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com 1800 142 467.

About VARA and Virgin Australia Group

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, formerly Skywest, has been a proud fixture in the Western Australian landscape for more than six decades. VARA joined Virgin Australia Group in 2013 and now operates more than 250 services per week.

The Group was founded in the year 2000 by Sir Richard Branson and is now one of the largest Australian airlines operating an extensive domestic network as well as short-haul international services, charter and cargo operations, and its loyalty program, Velocity Frequent Flyer. The Group employs more than 7,800 people and boasts more than 12 million Velocity members who can use their Points to redeem flights to over 600 destinations around the world through Virgin Australia and the airline’s extensive list of international partner carriers.     

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense and Security, and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services and Support to customers after-sales.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service, and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

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[1] Source: Embraer.
[2] Source: Embraer based on EASA Certification Noise Levels. 
[3] Subject to regulatory approval. 
[4] Source: Embraer based on comparison of F100 and E190-E2 fuel burn on same sector length using same assumptions.
[5] Source: Embraer.