2023-11-26 09:00:00
Virgin Australia has raised its investment in new MAX planes as Boeing flight tests the largest of its MAX planes (the -10).
The IPO candidate airline announced Friday that it had ordered six additional Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, bringing its total to 39. It received the third of the 14 737-MAX 8 aircraft from Seattle, with the rest expected to arrive in 2024, or on average one per month. The 737-8 MAX aircraft will fly on Virgin’s domestic network and short-haul international routes, including Fiji, Bali et Samoa.
“These new aircraft enable both significant growth and better energy efficiency”, Virgin said in a statement. “The new MAX 8 aircraft will reduce emissions by at least 15% per flight compared to previous generation 737s,” supporting the airline’s carbon emissions reduction goal. Virgin is targeting a 22% reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. The new planes are also 40% quieter.
Virgin also ordered 25 of the newest planes 737-10 MAX of Boeing, whose delivery is expected to begin in 2025. On Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has given approval for the American plane maker to begin flight testing, which was delayed following two fatal crashes linked to the 737 MAX, sparking increased regulatory scrutiny. A Boeing spokesperson said the airline welcomes the FAA’s decision to allow it to begin certification flight testing. “With more than 400 flights and nearly 1,000 flight hours, the 737-10 continues to perform well as we prove its safety, reliability and performance through a rigorous testing and certification process”did he declare.
©Virgin Australia
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