After bagging an order from regional airliner Air Costa, Sao Paulo-based Embraer is in talks with other Indian carriers as well for the supply of E-Jet E2s. The Embraer E-Jet E2 is a family of narrow-body medium-range twin-engine jet airliners.
?We are in talks with other Indian carriers as the potential is obvious and we hope to announce something this year,? Mark Dunnachie, VP, Asia Pacific, Embraer, said
While he declined to disclose the names of the carriers, he assured that many have shown a lot of interest for E2s. ?These are niche jets and are ideal for point-to-point destinations. The Indian market is projected to have 1,500-odd planes in the next few years and that?s a huge market to address,?? he added.
The company had recently signed a definitive agreement with Vijayawada-based Air Costa for a firm order for 50 E-Jets E2s with an additional 50 purchase rights. The acquisition is a mix of 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s and has an estimated value of $2.94 billion based on 2014 list prices.
The purchase rights are for an additional 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s, bringing the total potential order to up to 100 aircraft and can reach $5.88 billion, if all are exercised. This deal raises the total E-Jets E2 orders to 200 firm and 200 options/purchase rights since the launch of the E2 programme, in June 2013.
In July 2013, Embraer launched the E-Jet E2 family of aircraft, the second generation of E-Jets comprising E175-E2, E190-E2 and E195-E2 planes. Air Costa has become the first customer of E-Jet E2s in India and will take delivery of the E190-E2 in 2018. The E195-E2 is scheduled for service in 2019.
