QANTAS Group has updated its fleet plan to boost capacity and meet strong demand from leisure travel.
Two additional A320s will be delivered to Jetstar Asia this year, as demand across the continent rebounds, which will bring the airline’s total fleet size back up to nine aircraft.
Qantas Group is also exercising nine existing purchase right options for A220 aircraft, for delivery in the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years, as part of its Project Winton deal with Airbus.
The company also has options for up to 12 additional E190 aircraft to be wet leased from Alliance Airlines to provide increased capacity and network connectivity in the domestic market.
The investment in additional fleet members is accounted for as part of the increase in Qantas’ capital expenditure for FY23 and FY24, as announced in the company’s first half results, released yesterday.
“We’re at the start of a major update of the Qantas Group fleet that will unlock a lot of benefits,” Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce enthused.
“The aircraft we have on order will help us lower emissions, expand our network, create new jobs and ultimately serve our customers better.
“We’re fortunate to have the scale and the balance sheet to make these decisions, as well as a lot of flexibility in our fleet plan to make adjustments as we need to.”
Joyce however also warned aircraft manufacturers are seeing supply chain delays which could push back deliveries by up to six months.
