Virgin Australia to replace Fokkers with Boeings

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April 29, 2022
Virgin Australia

In the biggest upgrade of its fleet in Western Australia, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines will retire its 10, 100-seat Fokker 100s and replace them with 149-seat Boeing 737-700s.

The move is part of the airline’s push for net-zero emissions by 2050 with the 737-700s using 30 per cent less fuel per passenger than the Fokker 100.

Separately the Virgin Australia Group has committed to four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that will join the fleet in February next year and these aircraft use 15 per cent less fuel than the airline’s 737-800s.

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Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka (below) said the fleet program is part of a broader growth strategy which will see the Boeing 737 fleet, currently consisting of 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft, increase to 88 with the inclusion of 4 MAX 8 aircraft in response to increasing demand.

“We are on track to return to 100 per cent of pre-COVID domestic capacity by June this year and expect to well exceed those levels by year’s end, and our resources sector and contract flying in WA is in high demand. This investment in our fleet reflects the increased demand we are experiencing in all parts of Virgin Australia,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

“With growth comes a larger carbon footprint, so it’s vital that we take the right steps now to ensure that as we do more flying, we are also working to reduce our emissions.

“We have a younger average fleet age than other airlines operating in the Australian market and we are in a good position to phase out our older F100 aircraft for more fuel-efficient options.

Virgin Australia

Since its re-launch in November 2020 the Virgin Australia Group has announced it will grow its 737 fleet by over 50 per cent from 58 aircraft to 88.

Virgin Australia has an additional 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft on order, which will transport more passengers for a similar amount of fuel to the current 737 NG aircraft, resulting in 17 per cent fewer emissions per seat per trip.

Ms Hrdlicka said the upgrades presented greater opportunities for staff across the business.

“Equipping our WA operation with more modern and efficient 737 aircraft positions us to grow and to better compete in the resources sector and contract flying market across Australia.  It also enables Virgin Australia to improve fleet utilisation across the Group.

“Existing F100 flight and cabin crew, VARA engineering and support staff and corporate and operations functions will be progressively trained to operate and maintain a 737 NG fleet, both as F100 aircraft are retired and as the airline continues to grow its WA resources sector and contract flying business.”

In addition to its 737 fleet, Virgin Australia said it will also continue to operate Airbus A320 aircraft as part of its resources sector and contract flying operations.