Virgin Australia orders 23 737 MAX aircraft, delivery between 2019 and 2021

Virgin Australia announced (05-Jul-2012) it ordered 23 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to be delivered between 2019 and 2021. The agreement includes the option for four additional aircraft. Virgin Australia also delayed the delivery of some 737NG aircraft to after 2016, leaving 31 scheduled deliveries of 737-800 aircraft for between 2013 and 2016. The airline expects all of its 737-700 aircraft to have exited its fleet by the end of 2013. Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said, "Virgin Australia is committed to maintaining a young and flexible fleet of modern aircraft. In the past year alone, we have reduced our average fleet age from 4.9 to 4.2 years. The Boeing 737 has formed a critical part of the Virgin Australia fleet over the past decade thanks to its reliability, comfort and fuel efficiency. The Boeing 737 MAX will build on this, enabling us to achieve strong on time performance and maintain our low cost base." [more - original PR]