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QantasLink subsidiary Network Aviation has taken delivery of its first Embraer E190.
While QantasLink wet-leases E190s from Alliance in the eastern states, VH-E9A – which touched down in Perth on Monday – is the first of the E-Jets to be owned by the airline itself, with up to 14 of the mid-life aircraft on order to replace Network’s ageing Fokker 100 fleet.
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Each 100-seat E190 will receive a full cabin refresh, including wi-fi, more spacious seats, USB charging ports, and device holders, as well as Qantas’ Economy Plus product.
“For almost 20 years, the F100 has played a vital role connecting regional Western Australia and supporting the resources sector, and now we’re investing in the next generation of aircraft to serve our customers and communities for decades to come,” said Trevor Worgan, chief operating officer and regional general manager at Network Aviation Australia.
“These aircraft represent a step change in the customer experience for the more than three million journeys expected to benefit each year, with more comfortable seating, onboard Wi-Fi, USB charging and the introduction of Qantas Economy Plus.
“They’re also quieter, more fuel efficient, and can fly further than the F100, opening up new opportunities for our customers.
“The introduction of the E190 is also an investment in local skills, with our pilots, cabin crew and engineers undertaking specialist training to support the fleet here in Western Australia.”
The E190s will be more reliable, efficient, and uncomfortable than the F100s they are replacing, said Qantas, with the older aircraft having entered the fleet in 2008 before Network was folded into QantasLink in 2011. The F100s currently operate around 120 services per week.
“The introduction of E190 aircraft will also unlock development opportunities for employees, with approximately 70 pilots, crew and engineers to receive a combined 18,000 hours of training by the end of the year to operate and maintain the initial E190 fleet,” the airline said.
“More than 600 pilots, crew, and engineers could be trained to operate the E190 fleet once it reaches scale.
“The investment in the E190s is part of QantasLink’s broader investment in its Western Australia fleet. Nineteen Perth-based A320s are being fitted with Wi-Fi and undergoing seat and cabin upgrades, with the first to be completed by the end of October.”
Alliance recently announced it would scale back its E190 wet-lease contract with QantasLink, reducing its commitment from 30 to 23 aircraft.
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