Simb Airlines / Embraer ERJ-145 / TN-ALL

Photo: Ilgaz DEGER

Simb Airlines is a charter carrier based in the Central African Republic.
The carrier is a subsidiary of Simbgroup that launched operations on 18-Apr-2021, offering flights in Central and West Africa sub-regions.
Simb Airlines received its first Embraer ERJ145 aircraft in Jan-2022 and plans to launch regular scheduled services in 2022.

CAPA

ORDER - Vietnam Airlines has signed an MOU with Airbus covering five additional A350-900s, as part of a broader plan to acquire 30 widebody aircraft for growth beyond 2030

The proposed A350s are expected to be delivered in 2033 and 2034.

Alain Charpentier
 

FLEET - Jet2 welcomes the 30th brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft into its fleet

 Jet2’s 30th brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft made its first customer flight yesterday, as the company continues to invest in its sustainability strategy.  

The aircraft, registration G-JZEA, has been delivered in Jet2holidays livery and forms part of Jet2’s firm order for 155 brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft made its first customer flight to Corfu, after departing from Manchester Airport.   

Jet2 took delivery of its first-ever Airbus aircraft, an Airbus A321neo registered G-SUNB, in March 2023. Since then, the delivery programme has continued at pace, with this 30th aircraft joining the fleet as the company continues to invest in new, more efficient aircraft to support its long-term growth and sustainability strategy. 

The Airbus A321neo is recognised as the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per seat by over 20% and providing a 50% lower noise footprint compared to the current fleet average. 

The arrival of the 30th Airbus A321neo further demonstrates Jet2’s results-driven approach to sustainability, which is focused on tangible actions that can be delivered now. This includes investing billions into new Airbus A321neo aircraft, completing a multi-million pound Split Scimitar Winglet retrofit programme across 74 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, electrifying more than 50% of owned ground service equipment, applying lightweight paint to over 80 aircraft and investing in the company’s pioneering Retail Operations Centre to remove weight from flights. 

The airline’s climate transition plan is focused on existing technologies and practical measures, including a target to reduce carbon emissions per revenue paying passenger kilometre by 35% in 2035 compared to 2019. 

Paul Southall, Head of Sustainability at Jet2 said: “Taking delivery of our 30th brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft is a great milestone for Jet2 and demonstrates the investment we continue to make in our sustainability strategy. These aircraft are more efficient, quieter and deliver a fantastic onboard experience, so this latest delivery is another important step as we continue to grow responsibly and take tangible actions on our sustainability journey.” 

He added: “Our approach to sustainability is results driven and built around practical steps that make a real difference. From investing in new aircraft and improving the efficiency of our existing fleet, to electrifying ground service equipment and reducing unnecessary weight onboard, we are focused on taking action now while continuing to provide our award-winning flights and holidays to customers.” 

JET2

AIRPORT - Lisboa-Humberto Delgado-Portugal

Flyingphotos
 

AIRLINE NEWS - Lufthansa Group: “shark skin” to be certified for the Airbus A330

Lufthansa Technik in final certification phase for AeroSHARK on an Airbus aircraft for the first time

Discover Airlines provides A330-300 for testing

Targeted certification will enable AeroSHARK on A330-200 and -300 models

Strategic partnership with Mastercard in the area of sustainability

The AeroSHARK “shark skin” is coming to Airbus aircraft: An A330 from Discover Airlines will be the first Airbus aircraft worldwide to be equipped with the innovative technology. Initially for flight testing—Lufthansa Technik entered the final phase of supplemental type certification for its drag-reducing surface film on the Airbus A330-200 and -300 at the end of August. Before and after the modification at Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden, the long-haul jet from Discover Airlines undergoes test flights over several weeks.

AeroSHARK is supported by Mastercard in the current project phase. As part of a strategic partnership between Mastercard and the Lufthansa Group, both companies are jointly driving innovations intended to contribute to more efficient and more sustainable aviation.

Working together for greater efficiency in long-haul travel

Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer Lufthansa Group, says: “AeroSHARK is an excellent example of how innovations from the Lufthansa Group can make concrete contributions to greater efficiency and lower emissions. With the planned certification for the Airbus A330ceo, we are tapping into the potential of another significant portion of the global long-haul fleets. The innovation alliance between Lufthansa Technik, Discover Airlines, and Mastercard demonstrates once again how strong partners can drive progress together.”

The AeroSHARK technology, developed by Lufthansa Technik and Surventis (formerly BASF Coatings), is based on the structure of shark skin. The special surface film, modeled after nature, reduces drag during flight, thereby lowering fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. AeroSHARK is the only so-called riblet technology on the market approved for commercial aviation—currently certified for the Boeing 777F, the B777-300ER, and the B777-200ER. Following its certification for the Boeing 777, the certification process is now focused on the Airbus A330—the world’s second-most-delivered long-haul aircraft model, which will continue to shape existing fleets for many years to come.

Plans to expand to additional aircraft models and aircraft surfaces 

Every modification to an aircraft must meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance. The path to certification is correspondingly demanding: it requires technical expertise, operational resources, and robust financing. For the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for AeroSHARK on the A330-300 and -200, Lufthansa Technik is undergoing the relevant process with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. This includes extensive technical documentation, ground and flight tests, as well as final in-service validation during flight operations.

In addition to the certification currently being sought for the A330ceo, Lufthansa Technik and Surventis are also working to expand the next generation of AeroSHARK material to additional aircraft surfaces—such as wings and tail surfaces. This could double the potential savings. See the press release from July 30, 2026.

Background on AeroSHARK: inspired by sharks, developed for aviation
AeroSHARK is a functional surface film with microscopically fine grooved structures modeled after shark skin. Shark skin features fine grooves aligned in the direction of flow, known as riblets. These reduce frictional drag and improve flow characteristics in water. AeroSHARK applies this effect to aviation: The surface film features riblets only about 50 micrometers high, precisely aligned with the airflow. It is applied to an aircraft’s fuselage and engine cowlings, reducing drag during flight. The technology cuts fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions on every flight—currently by about 1 percent.

As of August 2026, the Lufthansa Group has already equipped 22 aircraft with AeroSHARK. Every day, the Lufthansa Group’s AeroSHARK fleet saves around 19 metric tonnes of kerosene and about 60 metric tonnes of CO₂. Airlines outside the Lufthansa Group are also already using the innovative film to increase the fuel efficiency of their long-haul aircraft.

 

FLEET - KLM’s first Airbus A350 completes test flights

KLM’s first Airbus A350 completed two test flights over the past week, bringing the aircraft another step closer to its expected delivery later this month. The aircraft will be named The Night Watch, after Rembrandt’s world-famous painting, and will operate flights to Toronto, Montreal, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Zanzibar.

KLM

An Airbus A340 for Switzerland: SWISS and the Swiss Museum of Transport plan joint project

SWISS and the Swiss Museum of Transport are seeking to preserve a piece of Swiss aviation history together: once it reaches the end of its operational life, the last Airbus A340-300 in the SWISS fleet is to find a permanent home at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne. Before this can happen, however, a number of complex technical, financial and regulatory issues still need to be resolved.

For many years, the Airbus A340-300 was a defining feature of the SWISS long-haul fleet, connecting Switzerland with destinations around the world. With its four engines, distinctive silhouette and role as a reliable backbone of long-haul operations, it became a familiar symbol of the SWISS fleet for many travellers and employees. As the last four-engined aircraft type in the SWISS fleet, the A340 also marks the end of an era at SWISS.

Once its operational life comes to an end, one of these iconic long-haul aircraft is now intended to be preserved in Switzerland: SWISS and the Swiss Museum of Transport aim to permanently integrate the last Airbus A340-300 from the SWISS fleet into the museum’s aviation exhibition in Lucerne.

Martin Ettlinger, Director of the Swiss Museum of Transport: “Having an Airbus A340 at the Swiss Museum of Transport represents a unique opportunity to preserve an important piece of Swiss aviation history and make it accessible to the public. This majestic aircraft would be a tremendous addition to our Aviation and Space Travel exhibition. The A340-300 fits perfectly into the outdoor area designated for it in front of the Aviation and Space Travel Hall. Bringing an aircraft of this size to Lucerne, however, is an enormous and highly complex undertaking. We are doing everything we can, together with SWISS and other partners, to make this extraordinary project possible.”

A gift for Switzerland

SWISS intends to donate the last Airbus A340-300 in its fleet to the Swiss Museum of Transport. The aim is to preserve an aircraft that for many years symbolized Switzerland’s international connectivity and played a major role in shaping the history of SWISS and Swiss long-haul aviation.

Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS: “For many years, the Airbus A340 connected people in Switzerland with the world and, in doing so, became a piece of Swiss aviation history in its own right. If one of these aircraft can live on at the Swiss Museum of Transport, it would bring this story full circle in a very special way. Our goal is therefore clear: we want to bring this A340 to Lucerne in early 2028. The task now is to work with our many partners to make its extraordinary journey there possible.”

A new highlight for the Swiss Museum of Transport

The A340 is not simply intended to be placed in the courtyard of the Swiss Museum of Transport as a static exhibit. The aim is to create a multifaceted experience inside the aircraft and present it as a new highlight of the Aviation and Space Travel exhibition.

The museum already has a former four-engined Swissair long-haul aircraft in its collection: the Convair 990 “Coronado”. The Airbus A340-300 would add another important witness to aviation history. As the last four-engined aircraft type in the SWISS fleet, the A340 represents a significant era in Swiss long-haul aviation.

A logistical feat requiring perfect teamwork

Bringing a long-haul aircraft weighing around 125 tons to the Swiss Museum of Transport involves far more than an ordinary transport operation. It is a major logistical and technical undertaking. The A340 must make its way from Zurich Airport to Lucerne, be positioned with precision on the museum grounds and permanently integrated into the existing exhibition. Meeting the highly demanding technical and logistical requirements will require detailed feasibility studies, specialized transport solutions, structural modifications and close coordination with the relevant authorities.

The project is also financially ambitious. SWISS will donate the aircraft to the Swiss Museum of Transport. The museum will bear the costs of transporting the aircraft, the necessary structural work and the creation of the visitor experience inside the aircraft. Current estimates put the cost at a high single-digit million amount. Financing must be secured by the end of 2026 and is expected to come largely from third-party funding provided by foundations, patrons and companies. A fundraising committee, with the active involvement of Christoph Franz, President of the Swiss Museum of Transport Association and former CEO of SWISS, is already holding discussions with potential supporters.

It has therefore not yet been decided whether the A340 will actually be able to embark on its final journey to Lucerne. A definitive decision will only be made once transportation, permits and financing have been secured. The Swiss Museum of Transport and SWISS will provide further information on the next steps as soon as the ongoing assessments have progressed further.

Airbus August 2026 orders & deliveries

Flyingphotos

 In August 2026, Airbus received orders for 67 new Airbuses and was able to deliver 57 aircraft.

Ordered were:

• 15 A350-900s by Air China
• 40 A321neos by Shenzhen Airlines
• 4 A220-300s by an Undisclosed customer
• 8 A350Fs by an Undisclosed customer

Delivered were:

• 2 A320neos to Air Cairo
• 1 A321neo to Air Canada
• 1 A319neo to Air China
• 1 A321neo to Air China
• 1 A321neo to American Airlines
• 1 A320neo to Avianca
• 3 A220-300s to Breeze Airways

Duncan Stewart

• 1 A320neo to British Airways
• 1 A321neo to Cathay Pacific
• 2 A321neos to China Eastern Airlines
• 1 A321neo to China Southern Airlines
• 3 A220-300s to Delta Air Lines
• 1 A321neo to Delta Air Lines
• 1 A320neo to easyJet
• 1 A321neo to easyJet
• 1 A220-300 to Ibom Air
• 5 A321neos to IndiGo
• 1 A321neo to Jet2.com
• 1 A220-300 to JetBlue Airways
• 1 A321neo to Juneyao Air
• 1 A320neo to LATAM Airlines
• 2 A320neos to Lufthansa
• 1 A350-1000 to Philippine Airlines
• 2 A220-300s to QantasLink
• 1 A350-1000 to Qatar Airways
• 1 A320neo to Sichuan Airlines
• 2 A320neos to Spring Airlines
• 1 A330-900 to STARLUX Airlines
• 1 A350-1000 to STARLUX Airlines
• 1 A320neo to Swiss
• 1 A321neo to Transavia
• 1 A320neo to Turkish Airlines
• 1 A321neo to Turkish Airlines
• 2 A321neos to United Airlines
• 1 A320neo to Volaris
• 2 A321neos to Volaris
• 4 A321neos to Wizz Air
• 2 A320neos to Xiamen Airlines

Airbus has now received a total of 1157 orders and 66 cancellations, leaving a net of 1091. The number of deliveries stands at 475.

Boeing August 2026 orders & deliveries

August wasn't the busiest for the US manufacturer, having received orders for fifteen new aircraft. The number of delivered aircraft was 51.

Ordered were:

• 2 B737MAXs by Unidentified customer(s)
• 11 B787-9s by Unidentified customer(s)
• 2 B787-10s by Unidentified customer(s)

Delivered were:

• 5 B737MAXs to AerCap
• 1 B787-9 to AerCap
• 1 B787-9 to Air India
• 3 B737MAXs to Akasa Air
• 1 B787-9 to All Nippon Airways
• 2 B737MAXs to Aviation Capital Group
• 1 B737MAX to BOC Aviation
• 2 B737MAXs to CDB Leasing
• 2 B737MAXs to Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
• 1 B777F to Emirates
• 1 B737MAX to flydubai
• 1 B787-9 to Lufthansa
• 1 B737MAX to Luxair
• 1 B737MAX to Minsheng Financial Leasing
• 1 B777F to National Airlines
• 9 B737MAXs to Southwest Airlines
• 8 B737MAXs to United Airlines
• 2 B767-300Fs to UPS
• 1 KC-46A to the USAF
• 1 P-8A to the US Navy
• 4 B737MAXs to VietJetAir
• 2 B737MAXs to Virgin Australia

Boeing has now received 498 orders and 45 cancellations, leaving a net of 453 aircraft ordered. The number of deliveries stands at 418.

Illustration by Boeing.

 

FLEET - Fastjet Zimbabwe to extend A320 ops to 4Q26

Fastjet Zimbabwe (FN, Harare International) will extend the operation of its wet-leased A320-200 from Global Aviation Operations to the end of October 2026 following stronger-than-expected passenger demand, with the aircraft also set to return for the December peak travel season.

In a statement, the airline said that the 168-seater ZS-GAC (msn 2496), which entered service on August 1, 2026, to support high-demand flights between Harare International and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Victoria Falls and Johannesburg, had seen sustained demand from both business and leisure travellers. The aircraft had originally been scheduled to operate only during the August-September peak.

Fastjet Zimbabwe business CEO and country head Donahue Cortes said the extension would ensure sufficient capacity during October and the December festive period, adding that the airline's recently introduced business class product had been well received by corporate and leisure passengers alike.

The A320 deployment forms part of a broader fleet evaluation that could see the type join the fleet permanently in 2027. Cortes previously said the wet lease would allow Fastjet Zimbabwe to assess the aircraft's suitability for its network before making a long-term fleet decision.

Fastjet Group CEO Kirsten King previously said the upgauge had removed the need to source additional E145 capacity for the peak months and that larger Embraer aircraft were no longer under consideration.

Fastjet Zimbabwe had been seeking additional capacity on its flagship Harare-Johannesburg route, where it was competing with 50-seater E145s against FlySafair's twice-daily B737-800 services, South African Airways' twice-daily A320-200 operations, and Airlink (South Africa)'s six daily E190 flights.

CH Aviation

 

FLEET - Breeze Airways ends E190 ops, moves to all-A220 fleet

Breeze Airways (MX, Salt Lake City) has officially operated its last E190 flight, marking the end of its transition to an all-A220-300 fleet.

The flight, onboard N120BZ (msn 19000115), took place on September 7 between Orlando International and New Orleans International.

Breeze launched commercial services in May 2021 with a fleet of ten E190s and three E195s. The Embraer regional jets played a pivotal role in Breeze’s expansion and growth, but in recent years the company began charting its move to an all-Airbus fleet.

To date, the carrier has taken delivery of 57 of its 90 firm A220 orders, with 30 options still remaining. David Neeleman, founder and CEO of Breeze Airways, said in a statement that the company’s long-term strategy “has always been to leverage the strengths and efficiencies of the Airbus A220-300 to help us cost-effectively scale our unique business model.”

CH Aviation / Photo: Breeze

American Airlines recognizes 25th anniversary of 9/11 through historic donations to 9/11 Memorial & Museum and Pentagon Memorial Fund

 American and CR Smith Museum will make the 9/11 collection available to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and provide additional support through The Never Forget Fund

Airline supporting future 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center through Pentagon Memorial Fund

FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines and the CR Smith Museum are honoring those on board Flight 11 and Flight 77 and the thousands of lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by making the airline and museum’s 9/11 collection available to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and providing financial support through The Never Forget Fund. American is also supporting the future National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center through financial contributions and the donation of artifacts from the airline’s care related to the events at the Pentagon

More information: https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2026/American-Airlines-recognizes-25th-anniversary-of-9-11-through-historic-donations-to-9-11-Memorial--Museum-and-Pentagon-Memorial-Fund-COMM-VOL-09/

SPECIAL LIVERY / Retrojet c/s - Northern Air Cargo / Boeing 737-800BCF / N3160G

Photo: Northern Air Cargo 

AIRPORT - Miami International Airport

Photos: Ronald Vermeulen
 

2026 ROUTES

Photo: Ton Jochems / F-HNCO / A321NEO / La Compagnie / NCE

La Compagnie has added Düsseldorf Airport to New York's Newark Liberty International Airport to its strictly business class network, beginning in Spring 2027.

Royal Air (Comoros) is planning to launch service to Mayotte. on 15 December 2026

Plus Ultra (Spain) will resume its commercial route between Madrid and Caracas on 08 September 2026.

Malaysia Airlines plans to resume Kuala Lumpur – Busan route from 02 December 2026, with B737-8.

Discover Airlines (Germany) expands its Italy route network for summer 2027, with direct routes from Munich to Alghero and from Frankfurt to Genoa.

Please confirm all flights with your airline.

AIRPORT - Lisboa-Humberto Delgado-Portugal

 Flyingphotos

ORDER - AIRCAIRO places order for 15 Airbus A320neo aircraft

El Alamein, Egypt, 8 September 2026 – AIRCAIRO, Egypt’s National growing Air-carrier, has signed a firm order for 15 Airbus A320neo aircraft at the El Alamein International Airshow 2026. The agreement marks an important milestone in the airline's strategy as it introduces direct aircraft ownership alongside its leased Airbus fleet to support long-term growth.

Having grown rapidly from seven aircraft five years ago to a fleet of over 45 aircraft today, AIRCAIRO is building on this momentum to grow to a fleet of over 130 aircraft by 2034. 

The firm order provides the airline with the capacity, flexibility, and operational efficiency needed to expand connectivity across its domestic, regional, and international networks.

Hussein Sherif, Chairman & CEO, AIRCAIRO, said: “This agreement represents a natural next step in
AIRCAIRO’s growth. Combining owned aircraft with our leased fleet gives us greater operational flexibility Latest Airbus global press releases and financial efficiency as we scale up. 

The A320neo will provide the capacity needed to expand our network, serve the growing demand for travel to and from Egypt, and support the country's aviation and tourism sectors in close partnership with Airbus.”

“We are delighted that this first direct acquisition from AIRCAIRO reaffirms the airline’s confidence in the AIRCAIRO places order for 15 Airbus A320neo aircraft A320neo to power its next phase of growth,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

“The A320neo provides AIRCAIRO with the efficiency and flexibility to scale up its network. 

This commitment highlights the strength of our partnership and AIRCAIRO’s confidence in the A320neo to expand connectivity between Egypt and key international destinations.”

is the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft, having won more than 20,200 orders globally. 

The Family includes the largest member, the A321neo, offering unparalleled range and performance. 

The Family offers at least 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort with one of the widest single-aisle cabins in the sky.

 

FLEET / SPECIAL Livery - CHINA AIRLINES to lease ATLAS Boeing 747-409F(SCD) ( N438GT)

Photo: snowman0308

https://www.jetphotos.com/photographer/292290


Taiwanese carrier China Airlines has signed an agreement with Atlas Air for the long-term wet-lease of two B747-400 freighters.
Atlas said both aircraft will be in operation by the end of the year, following delivery from Boeing.

FLEET - Afcom signs LOI for up to four B777-8Fs

Afcom (O9, Chennai) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Boeing for up to four B777-8Fs as it looks to expand into long-haul cargo operations, the company announced in a stock exchange filing on September 2, 2026.

Afcom said the freighters would be used on sectors of 10-12 hours or more and would offer around five times the payload capacity of its current B737 freighter fleet.

Chairman and managing director Deepak Parasuraman told Indian Transport and Logistics News that the final number could still change, although "the intent is to take four". He declined to disclose delivery dates or commercial terms and said the widebodies would be based at Chennai to support expansion towards the Far East and Africa.

Afcom had previously said in September 2025 that it aimed to induct four B777 widebody freighters by June 2027, with two to be funded through a preferential share issue and two through an institutional share placement. Its latest annual report lists two additional B737-800 converted freighters and four B777 widebody freighters as being in the pipeline.

Parasuraman said Afcom initially plans to source older B777s before adding new-build aircraft. It remains unclear whether the B777-8Fs would replace or supplement those earlier-planned aircraft.

Boeing currently plans the first B777-8F delivery in 2028, with Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) as the type's launch customer.

According to ch-aviation data, Afcom operates two B737-800(BCF)s and one B737-800(SF).

CH Aviation

ROUTES / FLEET - Air Sierra Leone eyes London Gatwick relaunch with Corendon-leased Boeing 737-9

Air Sierra Leone is in advanced negotiations with Corendon Dutch Airlines to charter Boeing 737-9 aircraft, aiming to resume the Freedom of the West service between Freetown and London Gatwick, with a stopover in Banjul. The relaunch is scheduled for the end of October 2026.

FLEET - Vietjet Qazaqstan is set to receive its first Boeing 737 MAX in 2026

with up to twenty B737-8s scheduled for delivery through 2030 

The former Qazaq Air company plans to replace its current fleet of DHC-8-Q400s with single-aisle jets as part of its growth and integration with the VietJet Group.

 

AIRCRAFT - QANTASLINK'S First E190 Arrives In Perth

QantasLink’s first Embraer E190, VH-E9A, touched down in Perth today, marking a major milestone in the airline’s fleet renewal program for its Western Australian resources charter operations.
The aircraft started its 20-hour journey in Norwich, United Kingdom, making stops in Bulgaria, Tajikistan, India, Malaysia and Broome in Western Australia before touching down in Perth this morning.

The 100-seat jet aircraft is the first of up to 14 mid-life E190s which will progressively replace QantasLink’s F100 fleet, offering improved reliability, fuel efficiency and customer comfort. The first E190 will enter commercial service from January 2027*.

The airline also announced today that each E190 aircraft will undergo a cabin refresh prior to entering service. Wi-Fi will be installed on each aircraft so customers can stream content on their own device from the improved Qantas Entertainment App, and receive new, more spacious seats that feature adjustable headrests, USB-A/C charging and personal device holders. The aircraft will also feature Qantas Economy Plus, giving customers more legroom, priority boarding, and priority access to overhead baggage space.

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. 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.

The first F100 entered Network Aviation’s fleet in 2008, before the airline joined the QantasLink operation in 2011. Today, they operate around 120 charter and passenger services per week to more than 25 destinations across regional Western Australia.

The F100 aircraft, each named after Western Australian destinations, have been the backbone of the network for two decades. The E190 fleet will continue with that legacy, with the first aircraft, VH-E9A to be named Exmouth.

Comments from Chief Operating Officer and Regional General Manager Network Aviation Australia Trevor Worgan:

“The arrival of our first E190 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. 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.

“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.”

*Subject to regulatory approval.
Qantas