Alliance Aviation picks E190s, says Fokker fleet ‘remains core’

Australia’s Alliance Aviation has signed for 14 Embraer E190s — in a move to “position us for the next phase of growth” — but has stressed that its fleet of Fokker aircraft will remain in service for the foreseeable future. The deal, valued at $79.4m, sees Alliance entering into an agreement with US-based lessor Azorra Aviation for the purchase. Apart from the 14 aircraft, the deal also covers options for a further five E190s, as well as the purchase of six spare GE Aviation CF34 engines, and options for full flight simulators and other related training equipment. Alliance states that the deal will be funded by proceeds from its share placement and share purchase plan announced in June. Alliance in June said it was looking to raise around A$122m in equity capital, for acquiring aircraft to take advantage of growth opportunities. The first E190 jet will be delivered in September, over a period of eight months, the carrier discloses. While the aircraft will be used predominantly on regional routes, Alliance has not ruled out using it on mainline routes, given a fall in passenger travel demand on such routes in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Cirium fleets data reveals that Alliance has a fleet of 40 Fokker aircraft in operation, with another eight in storage. <br/>