Airlines Virgin Australia to add nine 737s for summer operations

Starting October this year, Virgin Australia will welcome new Boeing 737-800s into its mainline fleet. Until mid-February 2022, all nine aircraft are planned to be integrated into scheduled operations. As vaccination rates rise and interstate borders open, the airline sees a rising demand in air travel.

Therefore, these nine aircraft are providing the airline with additional capacity. With the aircraft delivered, Virgin Australia´s mainline fleet will count 77 aircraft, with which the carrier seeks to reach a 33 percent share of the domestic aviation market in the country.

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said: “These extra aircraft are an important part of our planning and ensure we’re ready to ramp up flying and meet the pent-up demand for domestic travel as soon as the opportunity presents itself.”

Ms Hrdlicka stated that the new aircraft not only represent the carrier´s commitment to the customers team members and Australian economy but will also help the airline in the long term, once normal operations post Covid are possible.

“Airlines around the world have had to bend and stretch over the past 18 months as our fleets, teams and wider operations have responded to unprecedented border restrictions and demand volatility. But we at Virgin Australia are crystal clear that the underlying consumer desire for travel is strong,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

In 2023, Virgin Australia will receive the first Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which will allow the airline to be more cost-efficient during operations. Due to greater operational efficiencies and enhanced cabins, customers and the environment will benefit.

As of now, the fleet consists of 66 Boeing 737s, including two Boeing 737-700 and 64 of the larger 737-800 variant. Due to the travel restrictions, a minority part of the fleet is currently parked on various Australian airports.

Virgin Australia is part of the Virgin Group, which Richard Branson founded. The airline is normally offering flights to around 30 destinations, mainly within Australia. Subsidiary Virgin Australia Regional Airlines operates flights to smaller or more remote destinations with a fleet of four Airbus A320s and 11 Fokker F100.