This item is all about Embraer in the news. I’ve had a couple of these links for a few days, so I decided to put all of the Embraer links in one post. I think it’s better to have one post with multiple small items, than have multiple small posts, but I digress.
Embraer creates a new division
Aviation International News reports that the new division is expected to come online later this year. The division is called “New Programs–Airline Market” and they are supposed to make an announcement about a new airplane platform later this year.
Speculation abounds as to whether it will be a successor to its line of 70 to 110 seat airliners, a new turbo prop or something completely different to compete with re-engined narrow body Airbus and Boeing jets. According to company executive vice president Mauro Kern, the company wants to wait and see what the competition does before showing its hand.
Reuters is a little more aggressive in speculating that Embraer is going after the “big dogs” Airbus and Boeing provided market conditions are right.
Sold 41 Jets in Q1 2010
The Wall Street Journal online reports that Embraer delivered 41 jets in Q1, which was inline with expectations. The WSJOL places Embraer as the fourth largest plane manufacturer but Reuters says the company is the third biggest. I’m not sure if they’re measuring size by number of planes delivered, planes ordered, planes sold, gross revenue, net revenue or with some other measurement.
Austral finalizes deal to buy 20 E190 series jets.
Regardless of whether it’s the third or fourth largest manufacturer, Austral Airlines order for 20 E190 series planes was finalized and firmed up. The jets will have a two-class configuration of ninety-six seats, eight in business.
Reports indicate that Brazil’s state development bank BNDES will finance 85% of the $700 million deal. Apparently, one of the sticking points was who was going to perform maintenance on the planes. The companies agreed that maintenance would be performed in Argentina, so I’m not sure who won out in that deal since Embraer will provide training and technical support for that operation.
