Virgin upgrades MAX

VIRGIN Australia has upgraded part of its order for 23 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, opting to introduce the larger MAX 10 variant as part of its upcoming fleet renewal.

The carrier had originally ordered the 737 MAX 8 ( TD 05 Jul 2012), but yesterday confirmed it would switch 10 of the orders to the larger and longer-range MAX 10 option.

Virgin Australia chief financial officer Geoff Smith said the larger aircraft would begin joining the fleet in 2022.

“The addition of the 737 MAX 10 will provide us with additional flexibility and capability to support our network and operations,” Smith said.

“We are proud to become Australia’s first operator of the 737 MAX and we look forward to the opportunities that operating this type of aircraft will open up.”

Boeing says its MAX 10 will offer the lowest cost per seat mile of any commercial aircraft and fly 370km farther than existing Next- Generation 737s, which form the backbone of Virgin Australia’s current fleet.

At the moment the carrier has 80 of the Next Generation Boeing 737s in its overall fleet of more than 130 aircraft.

Virgin’s MAX 8 aircraft will begin joining the fleet ahead of the Max 10s and are scheduled to be introduced from Nov 2019.

MEANWHILE Virgin Australia ceo John Borghetti may depart the airline ahead of his planned retirement in Jan 2020.

“I’m staying here for another few months or thereabouts,” he is quoted saying in The Australian.

“The company is conducting a search and when they find someone and a proper handover is done, then I’ll go.”