UK Carrier Has 14 E-Jets On Order

Brazilian planemaker Embraer tells ANN the company delivered the first 118-seat Embraer 195 to Flybe, the launch customer of the product and one of Europe's largest low-cost carriers.

UK-based Flybe currently operates a fleet of 39 aircraft serving 125 routes, 45 airports in nine countries. Flybe ordered 14 Embraer 195 jets and has taken options on another 12 aircraft. The delivery ceremony took place at Embraer's headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos and was attended by senior Embraer and Flybe officers.

"Flybe is the first customer to take delivery of an Embraer 195 and we look forward to seeing this E-Jet flying in the skies of the UK and to other European destinations. With its unparalleled combination of comfort, performance and adequate size to serve medium density markets, the low seat-mile cost Embraer 195 will provide the efficiency required by one of Europe's leading budget airlines as soon as it enters into service," said Mauricio Botelho, Chairman, President and CEO of Embraer.

Fitted with single Head-up Guidance System (HGS) and configured to offer single-class service, the aircraft is intended to replace the airline's current BAe 146 fleet.

"It is not often that a new aircraft comes into service and we are very proud that Flybe is the launch airline for this fabulous airplane," said Flybe Chairman and CEO Jim French. "The Embraer 195 will help us continue to deliver a real value for money, low fares, high quality service to our customers, on our UK regional and short haul international routes."

"It also meets our stated objective of operating just two aircraft types as we phase out the BAe 146s," French added.

As reported by Aero-News, the E-195 aircraft was granted Brazilian certification on June 30, 2006 and immediately after that received the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Type Certificate.

Embraer has delivered more that 1,020 commercial jet aircraft from both the E-Jets and the ERJ-145 families, which are currently flying with more than 70 airlines in 43 countries around the world.

FMI: www.embraer.com, www.flyebe.com