Under a long-term agreement, Embraer will equip Virgin Australia’s fleet of E2s with its AHEAD (Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis) system. AHEAD is designed to help airlines begin a predictive maintenance programme, providing critical information for identifying problem areas before they escalate.
Collecting data inflight and on-the-ground, AHEAD facilitates real-time monitoring of essential aircraft structures. This includes APUs, avionics, flight controls, and hydraulics. Improved sustainable performance is another advantage, as AHEAD limits avoidable fuel burn due to maintenance issues. Overall, the predictive maintenance software can reduce downtime and optimise fleet availability.
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines Executive General Manager, Nathan Miller said:
Our E2 jets are a game-changer, delivering a more reliable, efficient and comfortable experience for our customers. The AHEAD tool will help us stay in front of maintenance issues, ensuring we are getting the very best out of our new aircraft and helping us strengthen operational performance across our network.
Virgin Australia already run two E2 jets and have placed firm orders for eight more. Carlos Naufel, President and CEO, Embraer Services & Support, added:
This agreement with Virgin Australia underscores Embraer’s commitment to driving digital innovation in aviation. By integrating the AHEAD platform into the E2 fleet, we are enabling predictive maintenance that reduces unscheduled downtime, optimizes operational efficiency, and lowers maintenance costs. These capabilities help Virgin Australia maximize fleet availability and improve overall operational performance.
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