Virgin Australia to lease more 737s

[Saab34]

However looking at the age lists, 4 would likely be headed for retirement this decade, and something like 2/year into the 2030s, assuming they hold each aircraft for 25 years.

I would expect another order to be placed in later this decade the delivery period 2030s.

The retirement list seems quite favourable as they are not all dying at the same time you could say.

 

[twinaisle]

Let’s not mention the E190s for VARA, I would expect they will leech into mainline

They couldn't even get VARA into the 737-700 let alone E190 into mainline.

VARA crew have zero interest with VAA who tried to get them into mainline

 

[Saab34]

Wouldn’t it just be easier to merge both and just operate under VAA?

 

[HS-TQE]

Let’s not mention the E190s for VARA, I would expect they will leech into mainline

A320s already do some VA mainline services in between FIFO charters. I'd expect this won't change with the E190-E2s

 

[Harrison_133]

A320s already do some VA mainline services in between FIFO charters. I'd expect this won't change with the E190-E2s

Saw that Gate 2 in Melbourne has line markings for the E190-E2 now, so anything is possible I guess.

 

[Saab34]

Transon off peak Saturday is sort of a given.

It could open up potentially some thinner transcon routes, ie PER-NTL/MCY/CBR

 

[markis10]

I am expecting another order for the E190s, followed by some turboprops, history repeating things

 

[Saab34]

I think they will be super careful when it comes to fleet complexity, the CEO talked out this at the CAPA conference.

If anything they need to get rid of the A320s and run a 737/E190 fleet.

Remember the days of 737/ATR/F50/F100/A330/777/A320.
Oh I forgot about E170/190!

 

[HS-TQE]

I am expecting another order for the E190s, followed by some turboprops, history repeating things

I'd tip any E190-E2 will be replacing the Airbuses as well as the remaining Fokkers, but if the reports on the social media groups are correct, the remaining Fokkers will be around until 2027 at the latest.

I wouldn't be tipping turboprops when VA has Airnorth, Link or REX 2.0 to wetlease some props for some East Coast regional services that don't warrant a 737 or an 190-E2. The E2s appearing on the East Coast I'd suspect will be coming from PER on off-peak/thin routes (as others mentioned to places like NTL/MCY/LST/HBA/etc).

 

[AIRwin]

Remember the days of 737/ATR/F50/F100/A330/777/A320.

And E190

 

[Harrison_133]

If anything they need to get rid of the A320s and run a 737/E190 fleet.

Apparently two A320s are leaving soon anyway because the leases weren't extended.

 

[HS-TQE]

On a different note; VH-RQP had just arrived in WGA under 2 hours late for its paint into VA livery.

 

[Saab34]

Apparently two A320s are leaving soon anyway because the leases weren't extended.

The entire A320 fleet is approaching the second D check. Would likely be more valuable on the parts market so quite unlikely they will last much longer.

 

[HS-TQE]

And E190

and E170; before it was sold to VA's then USA partner DL through a regional contractor operating under the 'DL Connection' brand.

 

[markis10]

Fleet complexity is an excuse offered by managers out of their depth, it didn’t work for VA mk1 thanks to some Trojan horse lease agreements, but there are plenty of examples were I’d does work, just look over the ditch.

 

[HS-TQE]

The first of the A320 exits (the two A320s mentioned elsewhere) would be around Q2 2025 at the earliest. The first deliveries of the E190-E2s for VARA are in Q3 at the earliest.

 

[Saab34]

Fleet complexity is an excuse offered by managers out of their depth, it didn’t work for VA mk1 thanks to some Trojan horse lease agreements, but there are plenty of examples were I’d does work, just look over the ditch.

The turboprop markets I can only really see would be Albury, Mildura and Canberra.

They can probably get Link to operate these without the capital outlay.

However, your point could be valid when the Saab becomes obsolete. Sydney to Canberra is obviously an important one. I think Albury is a missing piece in the puzzle.

 

[markis10]

Don’t forget FNQ, massive revenue and connection traffic. link have the same issues as Rex re hardware, the original plan for Bonza was based on ATRs….

 

[Saab34]

I recall Virgin operated intra QLD back with the E170, a whole bunch of those Bonza like routes, they didn’t last long though. Perhaps a turboprop would be better but I recall the prop has high costs also.

I’ve got a VB boarding pass in the travel collection box in the shed, Cairns-Townsville E170. Would have been pre 2010.

 

[twinaisle]

Wouldn’t it just be easier to merge both and just operate under VAA?

Fun fact that VARA crew get paid more than VAA crew. They won't want to merge