Virgin Australia Orders 8 Embraer E190-E2 Jets to Boost Regional Fleet

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer announced on Monday Aug. 12 that it has secured a firm order for eight E190-E2 regional jets from Virgin Australia. The deal marks a significant win for Embraer, as it edged out competition from Airbus’s A220, Europe’s smallest model, to clinch the contract.

Virgin Australia confirmed that this “significant investment” in Embraer aircraft is aimed at supporting the future growth of its Western Australia-based regional and charter division, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA). The E190-E2 jets are set to join Virgin Australia’s fleet starting in October 2025, eventually replacing the airline’s aging Fokker 100 aircraft.

While the exact value of the order was not disclosed, industry estimates from consultancy Cirium Ascend suggest that the deal could be worth just under $300 million after standard industry discounts.

Embraer stated that the order will be added to its third-quarter book, with deliveries expected to begin in the second half of 2025. This acquisition is seen as a strategic move for Virgin Australia to enhance its regional services, offering greater efficiency and modernized fleet capabilities.

Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=E190

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, embraer.com