The first Embraer E190 intended for QantasLink’s fleet renewal in Western Australia has arrived in Perth, marking the beginning of the gradual replacement of the Fokker 100 aircraft that have played an important role in the carrier’s regional and charter operations for almost two decades.

The aircraft, registered VH-E9A, arrived in Australia from Norwich in the United Kingdom following a journey of approximately 20 hours. On its way to Perth, it made stops in Bulgaria, Tajikistan, India and Malaysia, with a final stop in Broome, Western Australia, before reaching its new base.

It is the first of up to 14 mid-life E190s that QantasLink plans to introduce into the fleet. The 100-seat aircraft will progressively replace the Fokker 100s used by Network Aviation from Perth, including numerous charter services associated with Western Australia’s mining and resources sector. The first E190 is expected to enter commercial service in January 2027.

Before entering regular operations, each E190 will undergo a cabin refurbishment. QantasLink will install Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to use the improved Qantas Entertainment App and stream content on their own devices. The new seats will be more spacious and equipped with adjustable headrests, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and personal device holders.

The E190 fleet will also feature Qantas Economy Plus, offering passengers additional legroom, priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space. According to Qantas, the improvements associated with the new fleet are expected to benefit more than three million journeys each year.

The introduction of the E190 will also bring a significant employee training programme. Around 70 pilots, cabin crew members and engineers are expected to complete approximately 18,000 hours of training by the end of the year in preparation for the initial aircraft entering service. Once the fleet reaches its planned scale, more than 600 employees could be trained to operate and maintain the E190.

“The arrival of our first E190 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. For almost 20 years, the F100 has played a vital role connecting regional Western Australia and supporting the resources sector, and now we’re investing in the next generation of aircraft to serve our customers and communities for decades to come,” said Trevor Worgan, Chief Operating Officer and Regional General Manager of Network Aviation Australia.

According to Worgan, the E190 will deliver a significant improvement in both passenger experience and operational capability. The aircraft are quieter and more fuel efficient than the Fokker 100 and offer greater range, opening new opportunities for QantasLink’s operations from Perth.

The introduction of the E190 forms part of the Qantas Group’s broader investment in its Western Australian fleet. At the same time, 19 Perth-based Airbus A320s are being upgraded with Wi-Fi, refurbished seating and cabin improvements. The first upgraded A320 is expected to be completed by the end of October.

The Fokker 100 entered the Network Aviation fleet in 2008, before the airline became part of QantasLink’s operations in 2011. Today, the aircraft operate approximately 120 charter and scheduled passenger services each week to more than 25 destinations across regional Western Australia.

The Fokker 100 fleet has traditionally carried the names of Western Australian destinations, and the same practice will continue with the new aircraft. The first E190, VH-E9A, will be named Exmouth.