Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) says it is considering buying up to 14 mid-life E190 aircraft to replace F100s operated by subsidiary Network Aviation (NWK, Perth International) in Western Australia under the QantasLink brand. In a June 25, 2025, statement, Qantas said it is currently assessing options and targeting the first E190 arrivals towards the end of 2026.
“This fleet renewal represents a significant investment in the future of our regional aviation capabilities," said QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan. “The E190 is a proven platform that operates across Australia today and will deliver improved operational efficiency and reliability."
QantasLink already operates thirty E190s on regular passenger transport routes throughout Australia. However, these aircraft are wet-leased from partly-owned subsidiary Alliance Airlines (QQ, Brisbane International).
Network Aviation operates charter and FIFO services across Western Australia as well as some regular passenger flights. According to ch-aviation Commercial Aviation News, Operator & Airport Data, the F100s operate flights from Perth to Broome, Busselton, Geraldton, WA, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Learmonth, Newman, Onslow, Paraburdoo, and Port Hedland. Network Aviation operates fifteen F100s in QantasLink livery for Qantas.
Competitor Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International) has already announced it is acquiring eight E190-E2s to be operated within Western Australia by its subsidiary, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA). The first of these aircraft are due later this year and will also replace aging F100s, among other aircraft types.
Qantas says it will provide further details on any E190 order and delivery timelines within the next few months.