Qantas Adds Embraer E190s To Fleet From Mid 2021

Qantas is embracing the Embraer E190. In a deal with Alliance Airlines, Embraers will start flying for the QantasLink brand from mid-2021. Alliance Airlines has recently taken delivery of Embraer E190s to supplement its fleet of Fokker's used on charter, resource, and regular passenger service work. Qantas will initially access three of those E190s and base them in Darwin

“The E190 is a perfect mid-size regional jet for routes like these ones in northern Australia. It has longer range than our 717s, and it’s about half the size of our 737s, which means the economics work well on longer flights between cities and towns outside of the top five population centers,” said CEO of QantasLink, John Gissing.

ALLIANCE EMBRAER 190 N922QQ (MSN 19000222)
NOW REGISTERED AS VH-UYZ

A three-year deal that will see QantasLink fly up to 14 Embraers

QantasLink primarily operates regional and skinny flights in Australia that connect to mainline Qantas flights in the bigger airports. QantasLink presently has 76 planes in service, ranging from DHC-8 Dash 8s to Boeing 717s and Airbus A320s. The initial Embraer deal runs for three years. The aircraft is expected to start flying for Qantas in June, but Mr Gissing notes the exact start date will depend on the rate of recovery in travel demand. There is also the option to secure an additional 11 Embraers, but QantasLink can also “switch off” capacity depending on market conditions.

Alliance Airlines has recently purchased 27 Embraer E190s. They are former Copa Airlines and American Airlines aircraft. So far, just three E190s have landed at Alliance’s Brisbane HQ, with the remainder due over the next couple of years.

Qantas maximizes longstanding relationship with Alliance Airlines

With Qantas already owning 20% of Alliance Airlines and reportedly keen to increase its stake, the Embraer deal is a natural fit. Less natural is Alliance’s work (including wet leases) with Qantas’ arch competitor Virgin Australia. To date, Qantas has kept its stake in Alliance Airlines at arm’s length, giving the smaller airline the airspace to do what it does well – make money. Today’s announcement draws on that longstanding but under the radar relationship.





Story sourced from here
https://simpleflying.com/embraer-190-qantas