Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) will increase the number of E190s it wet leases from Alliance Airlines (QQ, Brisbane International) by four aircraft, taking the total number of leased Embraer regional jets used by the airline to 22, with options for a further eight remaining unexercised.
Qantas began utilising Alliance's Embraers in mid-2021, deploying them onto domestic routes too thin to support frequent B737-800 services. Qantas began by wet-leasing three E190s, since growing that number to 18, and now 22. Last week, Qantas announced it would begin E190 flights between Brisbane and Huron and Wellington. The Australian flag carrier owns a 19.9% stake in Alliance Airlines. However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) also recently vetoed a proposed deal for Qantas to acquire a 100% stake in Alliance Airlines.
"The aircraft have been modified for extended range operations known as Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO)," a May 19 filing to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) reads. "Alliance modified six aircraft for EDTO operations prior to their entry into service and have held CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) EDTO approval since July 2022 with all flight crew and engineering training completed at this time."
Qantas' wet leased Embraers now fly scheduled services between Adelaide International and Alice Springs, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Newcastle Williamtown, and Townsville; Alice Springs and Darwin; Brisbane and Cairns, Townsville, Canberra, and Mackay; Cairns and Darwin; Darwin and Dili; Melbourne Tullamarine and Townsville; and Sydney Kingsford Smith and Townsville.
Separately, this week Qantas Group has flagged an anticipated underlying profit before tax of between AUD2.425 billion Australian dollars (USD1.61 billion) – AUD2.475 billion (USD1.65 billion) for the 12 months to June 30, 2023. The airline also announced that former American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) CEO and chairman Doug Parker will join the Qantas board with immediate effect.
