QantasLink has announced a series of fleet improvements for its Western Australia operations. The upgrades include cabin enhancements to its Airbus fleet and the acquisition of Embraer E190 aircraft to replace aging Fokker 100s.
The upgrades will affect Network Aviation, QantasLink’s wholly owned Perth-based subsidiary, which operates over 600 flights per week to more than 25 destinations across regional Western Australia, serving both local communities and the resources sector.
Cabin modifications and Wi-Fi installation
According to the airline, all 28 Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft in Network Aviation’s fleet will be equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to access the Qantas Entertainment App for movies and television content on personal devices.
The A320 aircraft will also receive new seats featuring USB A and C charging ports and device holders. The first refurbished aircraft is scheduled to enter service later this year, with the full cabin and Wi-Fi program expected to be completed in early 2027.
Fokker 100 replacement program
QantasLink has secured three mid-life Embraer E190 jets, which are expected to arrive by the end of 2026. The aircraft will begin gradually replacing Network Aviation’s Fokker 100 fleet, which has been in service for more than three decades.
The airline plans to acquire up to 14 E190s in total. According to QantasLink, the new aircraft will provide improved fuel efficiency and reliability compared to the Fokkers they are replacing.
The transition is being managed in phases, with F100s being retired as Network Aviation receives A320s from Jetstar Asia and takes delivery of the new E190s.
Network Aviation operations
Network Aviation operates flights to destinations including Darwin, Newcastle, Hobart, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, in addition to more than 25 destinations across regional Western Australia.
The airline’s current fleet exceeds 35 aircraft, including Fokker 100s, Airbus A319s, and Airbus A320s.
The subsidiary provides both high-capacity charter services and regular passenger transport, primarily serving Western Australia’s resources industry and regional communities.
Broader Qantas Group fleet program
The Western Australia fleet improvements are part of the Qantas Group’s larger fleet renewal initiative, which includes firm orders for more than 200 new aircraft and cabin refurbishments of Qantas’ Boeing 737 and A330 aircraft.
QantasLink CEO Mark Dal Pra said the investment reflects the airline’s commitment to Western Australia operations.
“This multi-million-dollar investment reinforces our long-term commitment to serving the critical resources sector in Western Australia and connecting regional communities across the state,” Dal Pra said. “Not only will it significantly enhance the travel experience for our customers, it will also help us improve reliability and efficiency across our WA network.”
Dal Pra noted that the investment builds on Qantas’ development of Perth as a Western hub, including recent investments in training facilities, infrastructure upgrades at Perth Airport, and the launch of routes to destinations including Newcastle, Hobart, Johannesburg, and Auckland.
The timeline for the Fokker 100 phase-out and the arrival of all 14 planned E190s has not been disclosed.