Cobham to Introduce E190 with Chevron Contract Extension Win

Charter and fly-in/fly-out operator Cobham Aviation Services says it has won a contract extension with resources giant Chevron to 2020 worth up to AU$160 million and will add an Embraer E190 jet to its fleet.

Cobham says it will be the first Australian operator of the Embraer in the closed charter aviation sector.

"The introduction of the Embraer 190 aircraft sets a new benchmark for dedicated charter services in Australia and will see Cobham continue to support Chevron's activities, including the Gorgon Project as it moves from construction to steady state operations," Cobham sector president Peter Nottage said in a statement.

Aviation followers spotted the Embraer, registration D-AEMG and previously flown by Augsburg Airways in Germany, decked out in Cobham livery in Maastricht in the Netherlands. The aircraft's Australian registration was expected to be VH-NJA.

The Embraer will operate between Perth and Barrow Island, Cobham said in a statement dated September 4, and be subject to strict quarantine procedures given Barrow Island was a Class A nature reserve and internationally important conservation estate.

"The quarantine process required for the transportation of materials, equipment and personnel to Barrow Island is unique and is the largest and most rigorous quarantine program run by a non-government organisation," Cobham said in an accompanying fact sheet.

Cobham has been flying between Perth and Barrow Island since 2010 and currently used Avro RJ100 aircraft on the route.