Virgin Australia has began its upgrade in earnest yesterday, with the airline taking delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX.
The airline in the first instance is taking delivery of a Boeing 737-8. It is the first of 33 MAX family aircraft Virgin Australia will take delivery of over the next five years, after the airline restructured its aircraft order in December 2020.
In addition, it makes Virgin Australia the launch customer of the type in Australia. The airline is leasing the aircraft from r China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC), as opposed to purchasing it.
The aircraft also gets a name –Monkey Mia. It is registered as VH-8IA and continues Virgin Australia’s tradition of naming its aircraft after Australian bodies of water. Monkey Mia is in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia, which became Western Australia’s first World Heritage-listed site in 1991.
The Virgin Australia team will be among the first to tour the new plane, with a celebration planned for early July before the aircraft enters service on the Cairns-Haneda route, which has recently launched.
In Quotes
Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Stuart Aggs said:
“These new aircraft will allow us to grow capacity and support more efficient jet services,” he said.
“And importantly, they will reduce emissions by at least 15 per cent per flight compared to the 737-800 NG fleet, supporting our commitment to targeting net zero emissions by 2050.
“While our approach to decarbonisation is multi-faceted, fleet modernisation is a critical part of progressing our sustainability ambitions and represents a significant opportunity to reduce our emissions intensity in the near-term.
“We expect our fleet renewal program, combined with other fuel efficiency initiatives, to support over 80 per cent of our 2030 interim target to reduce Virgin Australia’s carbon emission intensity by 22 per cent.”
Erika Pearson, Boeing Vice President, Commercial Sales and Marketing, Southeast Asia and Oceania said:
“Operating younger, more fuel-efficient 737-8 airplanes will support Virgin Australia to take key steps in meeting its sustainability goals, while providing passengers with enhanced comfort and a more enjoyable flying experience,” she said.
“The unique capabilities of the MAX Family incorporate the latest advanced technology engines and winglets, delivering the highest efficiency in the single-aisle market. The 737-8 will allow Virgin Australia to provide additional capacity across Oceania to service Australia’s dynamic commercial aviation market.”
Winnie Liu, Executive Director, Deputy CEO and CCO of CALC, added
“It is great to work with Boeing and Virgin Australia on the 737-8 successful delivery. The arrival of the first 737-8 not only marks a milestone in CALC’s history as it is the first aircraft type in our fleet but also boasts unparalleled fuel efficiency and gives strong support to the airline’s sustainable fleet optimisation program. CALC has been investing in cutting-edge technology aircraft models with a deep focus on sustainable and green fleet solutions. We will continue to drive energy-efficient aircraft models and contribute to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 with all aviation partners.”
More on the way
In addition to eight 737-8s, Virgin Australia has 25 x 737-10s on order for delivery starting from next year.
Virgin Australia’s fleet comprises 84 primarily Boeing 737 aircraft, up from 58 when the airline was relaunched in November 2020 – or one new aircraft every five weeks.
The new Boeoing 737-8s mark a new chapter in the airlines fleet renewal programme, which when complete will bring down the average age of the fleet to 11.7 years old.
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