Places 10 Firm Orders, Up To 18 Options From Regional Carriers May Be Converted

Embraer S.A. has announced an agreement with United Airlines to add additional E175 jets to the United Express fleet. The agreement consists of ten firm orders, which will be included in Embraer's 2015 second-quarter backlog. Additionally, Embraer expects that United or one of the carriers that operates as United Express will convert options for 18 aircraft to firm orders in the near term. The ten firm orders have an estimated value of $444 million based on current list price.

Delivery of the first of these aircraft is expected in 2016. The E175s are configured in a dual class 76-seat layout and will operate under the United Express brand. The carrier's 76-seat jet fleet will be comprised exclusively of E175s. This latest acquisition is in addition to a previous order from United Airlines for 30 E175s in April 2013.

"Selecting the E175 as the primary aircraft for its regional fleet shows the great importance United gives to both the satisfaction of its customers and the efficiency of the operation," said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. "Embraer and United have a long and strong partnership and we are proud that United has chosen, again, the E175, the most comfortable and the lowest operating cost in its category."

"We are thrilled to add more E175s to the regional fleet. The E175 will be used to primarily replace older, less efficient 50 seat regional jets while providing an improved passenger experience" said Ron Baur, VP Fleet.

United's E175 will be equipped with a 12 First class, 16 Economy Plus Seats, and 48 Economy seats. Wi-Fi will also be included.

The E175s feature a new wingtip that, among other technical enhancements, improves aerodynamic performance. Fuel consumption on a typical flight is 6.4% lower than first-generation E175s. In North America, the E175 is the preferred aircraft of carriers operating 76-seat jets. In the last two years, the E175 has captured over 80% of orders among aircraft in its class from airlines in the U.S.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.embraer.com