Virgin Australia Airlines will spend A$110 million ($73.6 million) on upgrading its planes in Australia and will add more fuel-efficient aircraft to its fleet.
The airline will refurbish the cabins of its remaining Boeing 737 fleet, and add eight Boeing 737-8 aircraft and 25 Boeing 737-10s. Most will be delivered over the course of 2024, the company said on Saturday.
The first of the 737-8s was unveiled in Brisbane on Saturday to team members and their families.
The Boeing 737-8 aircraft are at least 15 per cent more fuel efficient per flight than the Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 NG fleet, the company said.
“We anticipate our fleet renewal programme, together with other fuel-efficiency initiatives, will support over 80 per cent of our 2030 interim target to reduce Virgin Australia’s carbon emission intensity by 22 per cent,” said Virgin Australia Group chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka.
Bain Capital is planning to relist the airline in November through an initial public offering that could raise about A$1 billion ($670 million), the country’s largest IPO in two years.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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