ANA Holdings Inc. (ANA HD) has finalized an agreement with Embraer to acquire eight additional Embraer E190-E2 regional jets, bringing the Japanese aviation group’s total firm orders for the type to 23 aircraft. The transaction, announced on September 3, 2026, underpins a newly established capacity purchase agreement that will see the modern narrowbodies replace aging regional aircraft on domestic Japanese routes.

In a press release issued by Embraer, the manufacturer confirmed the order accelerates ANA HD’s regional fleet modernization strategy. The aircraft will be deployed under a comprehensive Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) partnership with Japanese regional carrier IBEX Airlines, an arrangement formally approved by the ANA HD board of directors on July 29, 2026.

Fleet modernization and the IBEX Airlines partnership

Under the terms of the ACMI agreement, All Nippon Airways (ANA) will serve as the marketing carrier, overseeing route planning and ticket sales for the regional network. IBEX Airlines will operate the flights using the newly ordered Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. The introduction of the E2 fleet will allow IBEX Airlines to retire its legacy fleet of Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft.

Deliveries of the new Embraer jets to ANA HD are scheduled to begin in 2028. The companies are targeting fiscal year 2029 for the official launch of the ACMI operations between ANA and IBEX Airlines.

ANA Holdings President and CEO Koji Shibata stated that the additional E190-E2 order accelerates the company’s efforts to build a sustainable regional aviation network in Japan. He noted the agreement underscores ANA HD’s confidence in Embraer’s technology to reduce both environmental impact and operating costs while elevating regional connectivity.

Embraer’s growing footprint in the Japanese market

The September 3 agreement builds upon ANA HD’s initial commitment to the E2 program. The company placed its first firm order for 15 E190-E2 aircraft, along with five options, on February 25, 2025. ANA HD originally selected the Embraer E190-E2 to fulfill its regional fleet requirements following the 2023 cancellation of the Mitsubishi SpaceJet program, for which ANA was the intended launch customer.

Embraer Commercial Aviation President and CEO Arjan Meijer said the manufacturer is honored by the continued confidence from ANA HD and looks forward to supporting the airline group’s growth plans.

“With its exceptional economics and fuel efficiency, the E2 will support expanded connectivity across Japan along with better comfort and space for passengers,” Meijer said.

AirPro News analysis

We view ANA HD’s decision to exercise further E190-E2 orders as a pragmatic stabilization of its regional strategy following the collapse of the domestic SpaceJet initiative. By structuring the deployment through an ACMI agreement with IBEX Airlines, ANA HD effectively outsources the operational transition while retaining network control and marketing revenue. The transition from the Bombardier CRJ700 to the E190-E2 will provide a substantial step up in capacity and fuel efficiency, aligning with broader industry trends toward upgauging regional networks with next-generation crossover narrowbodies. The timeline also provides IBEX Airlines with a clear runway to phase out its older airframes before maintenance costs on the out-of-production CRJ fleet escalate further.

Sources: Embraer

Sun PhuQuoc Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo LR, marking the first time a Vietnamese carrier has owned and operated the long-range narrowbody variant.

The aircraft, registered as VN-A925, arrived in Hanoi (HAN) on September 3, 2026. In an official statement, the leisure-focused airline highlighted the aircraft’s extended range as a primary driver for its upcoming international network expansion.

Fleet expansion and route capabilities

The Airbus A321neo LR features a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles, or approximately 7,400 kilometers. This capability allows the carrier to reach deeper into Asia and potentially Eastern Europe directly from its base in Vietnam.

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft was ferried from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Denpasar (DPS) in late August before making its final delivery flight to Hanoi. Sun PhuQuoc Airways emphasized the strategic value of the acquisition in its announcement.

“With a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles, the A321neo LR is built to take Sun PhuQuoc Airways farther, opening the door to more destinations and more journeys beyond Vietnam,” the company stated.

Strategic shift for Vietnamese leisure travel

Backed by the Sun Group conglomerate, Sun PhuQuoc Airways operates a leisure-focused model designed to boost tourism to Phu Quoc (PQC). The airline has been rapidly expanding its fleet to support an international growth strategy.

The addition of the A321neo LR enables the airline to connect Phu Quoc to distant markets such as Japan and Kazakhstan. Operating these routes with a narrowbody aircraft reduces the financial risk compared to deploying larger, harder-to-fill widebody jets on unproven leisure routes.

AirPro News analysis

We view the acquisition of the Airbus A321neo LR as a calculated step for Sun PhuQuoc Airways to capture long-haul leisure traffic without the overhead of a widebody fleet. By utilizing the A321LR, the airline can test thinner, long-distance routes directly to Phu Quoc. This mirrors a broader global industry trend where operators leverage long-range narrowbody aircraft to bypass traditional major hubs and connect secondary leisure destinations directly to international source markets.

Sources: Sun PhuQuoc Airways

Portuguese wet-lease and charter operator euroAtlantic Airways (EAA) announced the induction of a 15-year-old Airbus A330-300 into its fleet on September 2, 2026, advancing the carrier’s strategic transition toward a dual-fleet operation.

In a press release issued by the airline, EAA confirmed the widebody aircraft arrived at its facility in Beja, Portugal (BYJ), from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL), on August 17, 2026. The aircraft, leased from Jackson Square Aviation (JSA), strengthens the carrier’s capacity in the Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) market and aligns with expansion goals set following the airline’s 2024 acquisition by UK-based investment firm Njord Partners.

Fleet Expansion and Aircraft Specifications

The newly leased Airbus A330-300, which will be registered as CS-TGI, is configured to accommodate 290 passengers in a three-class layout comprising Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. The aircraft features full lie-flat seating in the Business Class section and personal in-seat entertainment monitors across all cabins, catering to the long-haul requirements of EAA’s wet-lease clients.

Pauls Calitis, who was appointed as the chief executive officer of euroAtlantic Airways in May 2026, highlighted the significance of the delivery. Calitis stated that the company is delighted to welcome the new aircraft, noting that the induction reflects the continued growth of the operator’s Airbus operations.

Strategic Shift to Dual-Fleet Operations

Historically operating as a Boeing-only carrier, euroAtlantic Airways initiated a shift to a dual-fleet strategy after Njord Partners acquired a majority stake in 2024. Prior to the arrival of the A330-300, the airline inducted its first Airbus aircraft, an A330-200 registered as CS-TGD, marking the beginning of its mixed-fleet transition.

EAA currently deploys its fleet across a variety of operational profiles. The airline operates wet-lease flights for LOT Polish Airlines on a daily route between New York and Warsaw, as well as for Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras on routes connecting Lisbon to Campinas, Porto to Recife, and Madrid. In addition to ACMI contracts, EAA conducts government charter services and maintains regular scheduled routes to Sao Tome and Bissau. Moving forward, the airline plans to expand its fleet by at least one aircraft per year, targeting a minimum of 12 aircraft by 2030.

AirPro News analysis

We note that euroAtlantic Airways’ transition from a single-manufacturer fleet to a mixed Boeing and Airbus operation introduces new crew training and maintenance complexities, but it simultaneously broadens the carrier’s appeal in the competitive ACMI market. By incorporating the A330-300 alongside its existing Boeing assets and the recently inducted A330-200, EAA positions itself to offer more flexible capacity solutions to major network carriers like LOT Polish Airlines and Azul, which already operate mixed or Airbus-heavy long-haul fleets. The target of 12 aircraft by 2030 indicates a measured, sustainable growth trajectory under Njord Partners’ ownership rather than rapid, high-risk expansion.

Sources: euroAtlantic Airways via Business Wire