Qantas will acquire up to 14 mid-life Embraer 190-E1s that will start delivering in late 2026 to effectively replace its last Fokker 100s that are operated by its Network Aviation subsidiary on regional services in Western Australia. The airline explains that before those deliveries, however, its four remaining F100s will be replaced by four Airbus A320ceos coming from Jetstar Asia by the end of this year. The timing of the E190 acquisitions and deliveries will be revealed " in the coming months as procurement discussions progress", Qantas adds. "The E190 is a proven platform that operates across Australia today and will deliver improved operational efficiency and reliability, while also creating opportunities for our people in the West," says chief executive of Qantas's regional arm, QantasLink, Rachel Yangoyan. Cirium fleets data shows that there are 32 E190-E1s that Alliance Airlines wet-leases to QantasLink which are used on a variety of routes outside of Western Australia, but the new acquisitions are set to be the first E190s operated by a Qantas Group subsidiary. It comes as Qantas's rival in the resource charter space Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) prepares to receive its first of eight E190-E2s that it is using to replace its own F100s. It is understood that both Network Aviation and VARA have had to retire several of their Fokker jets in recent years to provide parts to keep the remaining aircraft active. National Jet Express also operates eight E190-E1s on resource charter services in Western Australia.

N3 Engine Overhaul Services has appointed Holger Sindemann as its new director and general manager, succeeding Carsten Behrens who has left the company after three years. The Germany-based MRO provider, which is jointly owned by Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce, says that Sindemann will be responsible for operations and will be the main point of contact for German regulator LBA. N3's management team is made up of representatives from each of its parent companies, with duties divided into operational and commercial. Sindemann represents Rolls-Royce and will work on an "equal footing" alongside commercial director Stefan Landes, who represents LHT. Sindemann has almost 20 years' experience in aerospace management roles and has spent a decade working as a consultant, notes N3.

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance has won a 13-year contract to support GE Aerospace GE90 engines powering Saudia's Boeing 777 fleet. The agreement spans MRO activities at AFI KLM E&M facilities at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly, on-wing and field support plus digital analytics for 86 engines, the maintenance group says. It notes that the deal follows a memorandum of understanding signed during a Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh in December 2024, aimed at strengthening co-operation between Saudia and Air France-KLM in passenger transport and aircraft maintenance. Under that accord, the two sides agreed that AFI KLM E&M would receive at least half of Saudia's GE90 engine maintenance work, and there were plans to assemble engine modules locally, and to explore the possibility of establishing a joint venture for GEnx engine maintenance, Air France-KLM said at the time. GEnx engines are optionally available on 787s. Cirium fleets data that Saudia has 43 active 777s, comprising 37 777-300ERs, four 777 Freighters and two 777-200ERs. Another 12 777-200ERs are listed in storage. The entire fleet is GE90-powered. Saudia has 13 787-9s and eight 787-10s in its fleet and another 39 Dreamliners on order, all fitted with GEnx engines. The carrier's fleet additionally includes Airbus A320-family single-aisles, A330s, 747Fs and business jets, and totals 186 aircraft. Group director general Ibrahim Al-Omar describes the new agreement with Air France-KLM as a "significant step in strengthening the technical backbone of our long-haul operations". He adds: "It also complements our broader strategy to localise MRO capabilities and build long-term value for the kingdom." Air France-KLM chief Ben Smith says the accord "reflects a profound level of trust and confidence between our parties and lays the foundation for strengthened co-operation in the fields of passenger transport and aircraft maintenance".