Market Intelligence: -Airline Aircraft Orders

Virgin Australia fleet expands, adds nine additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft!

Virgin Australia will introduce nine additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft into its mainline fleet from October this year in preparation for an expected increase in domestic travel as vaccination rates rise and interstate borders open.

The aircraft are planned for operation over the peak summer season to accommodate expected holiday travel, with an aim for all nine to be in the air by mid-February 2022.

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the additional aircraft reflected Virgin Australia’s commitment to its customers, team members and Australia’s aviation sector into the long term, despite the significant challenges currently presented by COVID-19 and associated border closures.

“Airlines around the world have had to bend and stretch over the past 18 months as our fleets, teams and wider operations have responded to unprecedented border restrictions and demand volatility. But we at Virgin Australia are crystal clear that the underlying consumer desire for travel is strong,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

“While our recent efforts have been directed toward adapting to and managing through a very difficult few months for communities and businesses throughout the country, we’ve also maintained a consistent focus on our strategy and medium term growth opportunities.

“These extra aircraft are an important part of our planning and ensure we’re ready to ramp up flying and meet the pent-up demand for domestic travel as soon as the opportunity presents itself.”

Ms Hrdlicka said the additional aircraft will bring Virgin Australia’s total mainline fleet to 77 and will support hundreds of jobs across the business.

“With this extra fleet capacity, we will be well positioned to reach our target share of 33 per cent of the domestic market, and service the destinations that our customers want with the frequency they expect,” she said.

Virgin Australia has also commenced planning for the mid-2023 arrival of its first Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which will deliver greater operational efficiencies and enhanced product and design features for customers and the environment.

Source: See Virgin Australia’s Press Release on the 27th of August here.

For more information, kindly contact Virgin Australia.

You may also check our Terms and Conditions for our Content Policy.

Related Posts

Legend Airways announces Tecnam Fleet acquisition across 3 Models

TECNAM and Legends Airways today announced an aircraft purchase agreement for a fleet of 5 initial aircraft for the fixed-wing flight training school. The purchase consists of two (2) P2008 LSA, two (2) P2010 standard category 4 place and one (1) P2006T twin.

This kind of acquisition is what Tecnam calls “Fleet Solution”, where a Flight School can offer different models to cover all the flight training requirements, from initial training to Complex (Multi engine, Variable Pitch Propeller and Retractable Landing Gear). With incredibly low operating costs, and competitive rates for students, the school has Tecnam as a single source for all needs. The Tecnam platforms for training is based on very modern aircraft models, that exceed a very strict and high level certification process, that, 1950’s design aircraft on the training market cannot meet.

Legends will be utilizing the high wing P2008 LSA for initial through IFR introduction training equipped with the Garmin G3X dual screen system, and Garmin GTN 650. Students will then move to the FAA standard Category P2010 4 place single engine with G1000 NXi and GFC 700 autopilot for completion of IFR, Commercial and CFI Certificates. Finally, students will fly the P2006T light twin with Garmin G1000 NXi to complete their Multi-Commercial and Multi-Engine Instructor Certificates.

“As flight training continues to evolve in the modern age, it is crucial that flight academies progress with the times. That is why Legends Airways is partnering with Tecnam, who shares these beliefs in producing safe, sleek, and innovative aircraft that exemplify what it means to “Learn to Fly” in the 21st century. We look forward to integrating Tecnams technologically advanced fleet into our academy and providing our students with safety-orientated and world-class training.”  – Justin Dal Colletto, Flight School Director at Legends Airways.

“Tecnam aircraft being selected by Legends as their next generation training fleet is a high honor. The Tecnam fleet solution offers easy transition to more complex aircraft while leveraging an LSA, a Rotax powered twin and US based AOG support to keep the acquisition and operational costs down. This will allow Legends to continue to provide a safe and cost attainable pathway for students,” said David Copeland, Director for Tecnam in North America.

“We are delighted at Legends Airways choice for their fixed wing fleet. Our expanded commitment and direct factory involvement to the US market is showing the results we have forecast. We care a lot for our North American customers and training organizations, we are proud to be a partner on their path to success. With the widest line of aircraft in our portfolio, post-sales support and services, Tecnam is not only providing aircraft but a solid Fleet Solution,” said Walter Da Costa, Chief Sales Officer.

Source: See Tecnam Press Release here.

For more information, kindly contact Tecnam Aircraft.

You may also check our Terms and Conditions for our Content Policy.

One of the leading Low-Cost Carriers in the Middle East – Air Arabia – announced that it will launch the new Armenian Carrier!

The Air Arabia Group of Airline Operations include:

  • Air Arabia
  • Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
  • Air Arabia Egypt
  • Air Arabia Maroc

In an article from Forbes quoted as follows: “As with the new Armenian venture, these have all been set up with other investors. Air Arabia Maroc was founded in 2009 as a joint venture with Moroccan investors and based at Mohamed V International airport in Casablanca. Air Arabia Egypt followed soon after, as a joint venture with the local Travco Group. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is a joint venture with Etihad Airways.”

There is also a rumour that Air Arabia might expand into Air Arabia and there was previous online coverage of a possible investment into Ariana Afghan Airlines – an airline in Afghanistan.

You may check our Terms and Conditions for our Content Policy.

Singapore Airlines set to dominate among its Southeast Asian rivals

An analysis published by Reuters on the 9th of July provides the current scene with Singapore Airlines as it dominates through the Southeast Asian region. The following texts are excerpted from the analysis.

“Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA), flush with $16 billion raised since the start of the pandemic thanks to help from a state investor, is in a position of dominance among its Southeast Asian rivals as they downsize and restructure.”

“Its majority shareholder, government-owned investment arm Temasek Holdings (TEM.UL) underwrote one of the world’s biggest airline rescue packages. Thanks to that, SIA’s has enough funds to keep going for at least two more years without cuts, and is modernising its fleet to save fuel, reduce maintenance costs and meet environmental goals while other airlines shed aircraft.”

“Many of SIA’s rivals are trimming fleets to a level that could ultimately weaken their hubs and send more connecting traffic to Singapore.”

“But analysts say it could take 12 to 18 months for widespread travel to resume in Asia.”

“SIA deferred S$4 billion of spending on new planes over three years after reaching agreements with manufacturers Airbus SE and Boeing Co.”

“But because of large pre-crisis orders, it is still spending S$3.7 billion on new aircraft and adding at least 19 planes to its fleet this year, including 13 widebodies, despite little demand.”

Source: Reuters

You may also check our Terms and Conditions for our Content Policy.