David Eyre 
Flight VA1487 to Broome, taking off from runway 21 at 15:26.
Photo © David Eyre
11 February 2016 copyright © David Eyre
Virgin Australia today announced the withdrawal and sale of five Embraer E190s, by September 2016.
The current 18-aircraft E190 fleet will be reduced to 13, with the capacity reduction being covered through increased utilisation of the airline’s Boeing 737-800 fleet.
The E190s are popular with passenger for their more comfortable cabin layout.
It is possible that the E190s may find buyers with local FIFO operators seeking to update their fleets. Cobham operates one E190 under contract to Chevron, flying between Perth and Barrow Island with FIFO workers for the Gorgon LNG project.
Virgin will also sell its six smaller Embraer E170s which are currently leased to Delta Air Lines. The E170s have not visited Western Australia.
Fokker 50 withdrawal update
Lining up for a runway 03 Departure at 5:13 pm.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
As reported in October 2015, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines’ eight Fokker 50s are expected to be sold, with Virgin now saying they will be gone by the end of June 2016. Their last service will be on 27 February 2016.
Four of the eight Fokker 50s have already been withdrawn from service. Current status of the fleet:
- VH-FNA, the only one to be painted in Virgin Australia livery, has had some parts removed and is in a hangar in the general aviation area near Fauntleroy Avenue at Perth Airport. It flew its last revenue service on 9 October 2015, from Geraldton to Perth.
- VH-FNB is stored in the open on the ‘500 lane’ parking bays. It flew its last service on 23 October 2015, from Esperance to Perth.
- VH-FND is stored in the open on the ‘500 lane’ parking bays. It flew its last service on 9 January 2016, from Esperance to Perth.
- VH-FNE will be in service until the end of February 2016.
- VH-FNF is still in service until the end of February 2016.
- VH-FNH is still in service until the end of February 2016.
- VH-FNI is still in service until the end of February 2016.
- VH-FSL is stored in the open on the ‘500 lane’ parking bays. It flew its last service on 18 January 2016, from Esperance to Perth.
Hi David,
Do you know who will be purchasing the Fokker 50s.
Thanks.
It is not yet known who will be buying the aircraft.