Alliance Airlines, an Australian carrier based at Brisbane International Airport (BNE), confirmed that it has signed an agreement to purchase thirty Embraer E190, which currently operate in the United States, from aircraft leasing company AerCap.
The news came shortly after Qantas announced it would lease more E190s to Alliance Airlines. Australia’s largest airline operates 18 of them on a wet lease basis. Under the new contract, it will operate twelve more.
The new aircraft will enable Alliance Airlines to ensure equipment availability in the face of the expected increase in demand, as well as additional spare components.
Deliveries between 2023 and 2026
According to information provided by the airline, payments and deliveries of the airplanes will begin in September this year and will be completed by January 2026. The aircraft will be transported to Rockhampton for refurbishment and certification by the Australian authorities.
«Final purchase price for each aircraft will be adjusted for the maintenance status of the airframe and the two fitted engines in the week preceding each delivery», Alliance Airlines said. «Accordingly, there is a significant degree of variation in unit cost and a totally firm fleet price is unable to be given at this time», the company explained.
The Embraer E190s will be acquired through a combination of debt and cash generated from operating the current fleet. The airlines already has 27 such aircraft. In addition, it has 25 Fokker 100s and 11 Fokker 70s currently in service.
«This acquisition will provide Alliance with increased capacity, access to major componentry including engines and enhanced operational capability», said Scott McMillan, the company’s CEO.
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