Virgin Australia has announced that it has placed an order for 23 Boeing 737-8 MAXes and four options, with the aircraft to be delivered from 2019 to 2021.
“The Boeing 737 has formed a critical part of the Virgin Australia fleet over the past decade thanks to its reliability, comfort and fuel efficiency” says Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti. “The Boeing 737 MAX will build on this, enabling us to achieve strong on time performance and maintain our low cost base.”
Virgin says that it is delaying delivery of some 737-800s until after 2016 and will now take 31 new aircraft between 2013 and 2016.
The airline also said that it expects to dispose of all of its 737-700s by the end of 2013.
Mr Borghetti added that the airline will “continue to review its fleet strategy to ensure we align fit-for-purpose aircraft to markets and maintain maximum flexibility in capacity management.”
The order is a boost for Boeing, which has been keen to secure orders for the MAX from existing 737 operators, despite some placing orders for the competing A320 neo.
