Virgin Australia restructure to phase out Embraer E190 fleet, reduce ATR72 fleet; cut jobs; raise $1 billion capital
David Eyre 
The entire E190 fleet is to be withdrawn over the next three years. Photo © David Eyre
The ATR72 fleet is to be reduced as part of the restructure. Photo © Wilson
15 June 2016 © David Eyre
Virgin Australia today announced that the airline is cutting costs and raising more than $1 billion to pay down debt.
The cost-cutting includes withdrawing the entire Embraer E190 fleet over the next three years and reducing the size of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines’ ATR72 turboprop fleet. The Fokker 50 fleet was recently retired and is being sold.
More savings will be gained from improved fleet utilisation, optimisation of the Group’s network, operating efficiencies, maintenance and engineering, as well as in procurement and supply chain. Management jobs will also be cut.
Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti is planning to use this money to complete the transformation of the airline into a strong rival to Qantas, and to commence flights to China.
Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, and more recently, Chinese companies Nanshan Group (which bought most of Air New Zealand’s share) and HNA Group are all major shareholders in Virgin Australia.
Hate to see these planes go. Much prefer to fly on E190 than B737.800
Qantas link operate B717 aircraft which are of a similar size and they are trying to source more of them. Doesn’t seem to make sense to me.
Port Macquarie will soon have a direct service to Melbourne Essendon Operater by Jetgo with 32 seat Embrauer aircraft. I can’t see why Virgin would not fly E190s starting on a weekly service and develop Port as a tourist destination.
Next week flying Canberra-Melbourne return on E190s WOW
Hello, ref the withdrawal of the VA E190 fleet, 5 have departed so far as follows..
VH-ZPD last flt 31/1/16 and to Nashville 02/02/16. ex BNE.
VH-ZPG last flt 26/02/16 ” ” 27/02/16
VH-ZPF last flt 28/03/16 ” ” ” 30/3/16
VH-ZPE last flt 23/04/16 ” ” 26/04/16
VH-ZPH last flt ?/5/16 ” ” ?/05/16 TB updated.
mERV cROWE.
VH-ZPH is still in service (for now).
VH-ZPI departed Brisbane on 2 July 2016 via Apia, Honolulu and Van Nuys to Nashville, arriving on 4 July 2016.