The first of the next generation of Qantas aircraft that will service Tasmania is set to touch down in Hobart on Monday.
The Airbus A220, operated by QantasLink, is scheduled to land in the capital at 11:20am on flight QF1291 from Melbourne.
It will be the first time the new A220 aircraft has flown to Tasmania, joining the existing Qantas Boeing 737 fleet and retiring Boeing 717 fleet.
Flight data shows the A220 aircraft, which has almost exclusively operated between Melbourne and Canberra, will be used on the route daily.
Two A220 aircraft are currently operating in Australia, with a total of 29 scheduled for delivery to QantasLink in the coming years as part of the group’s domestic fleet renewal program.
The A220 seats 137 passengers across 10 business class seats and 127 economy class seats.
When Qantas took delivery of their first A220 in December, chief executive Vanessa Hudson said the aircraft would bring improvements in emissions, noise and passenger comfort.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome this new A220 aircraft, along with the benefits it will bring to our customers and career opportunities for our people,” she said.
“The size and range of the A220 means we can add new direct routes to our network that may not have been commercially viable before.”
“This arrival marks the start of the biggest domestic fleet renewal program in Qantas’ history as the Group takes delivery of one new aircraft every three weeks on average over the next few years.”
Hobart Airport is running a competition to win a Qantas A220-themed prize pack, including a replica model plane, by uploading a photo of the special ‘Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa’ livery to social media.
