Lessor Azorra has handed over the first of eight new Embraer 190-E2s to Virgin Australia, marking the start of the carrier’s fleet renewal efforts.
The first aircraft, to be registered VH-E2A, was delivered to the airline at Embraer’s Sao Jose dos Campos facility on 2 September. The twinjet – the airframer’s 1,900th E-Jet – is taken from Azorra’s firm orderbook with Embraer.
The E190-E2s – configured with 100 seats – will replace the carrier’s Fokker 100s operating with regional unit Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA), and will be based in Perth.
VARA expects to receives another three E2s this year and into 2026.
Virgin Australia will be the first Australian operator of the E2, and the latest in a growing number of Embraer customers in Asia-Pacific, including Singapore-based Scoot and Japan’s All Nippon Airways.
VARA executive Nick Rohrlach says: “Replacing our Fokker 100s with these next-generation jets allows us to better connect resources-industry clients and regional communities across Western Australia with improved reliability, significantly reduced noise, and lower emissions.
”These aircraft are perfectly designed for the challenging climates and environments we operate in, while offering our customers a spacious and comfortable in-flight experience.”
