Republic Airways Will Fly Historic Bird

Aero-News has learned Embraer delivered its 400th E-Jet Thursday, in a ceremony held at the company’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The aircraft, an Embraer 175, was ordered by US-based Republic Airlines, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings.

"The delivery of the 400th E-Jet confirms the outstanding worldwide reception given to this aircraft family, and we are proud that it is going to our good friends at Republic Airways Holdings," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO. "Our drive for customer satisfaction and the cutting-edge design and performance of our products have repeatedly brought airlines back to increase their orders and convert their options, in eloquent testimony that Embraer is on the right track."

Embraer's relationship with Republic dates back to 1999, when Chautauqua Airlines, also a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, took delivery of its first ERJ 145 for US Airways Express operations.

Republic Airways is the largest E-Jets operator in the world with 110 aircraft -- 76 Embraer 170s and 34 Embraer 175s – under the colors of US Airways Express, United Express and Delta Connection. Chautauqua Airlines also operates the three models of the ERJ 145 family – the ERJ 135, the ERJ 140 and the ERJ 145 – totaling 90 aircraft, under the colors of Delta Connection, United Express, Continental Express and US Airways Express.

"We are thrilled to accept delivery of the 400th Embraer E-Jet from our good friends in São José dos Campos. This is a wonderful milestone for Embraer and for Republic. The E-Jets family has helped our company compete successfully in a very challenging environment over the past four years. This delivery represents the 111th E-Jet flying at Republic and will join our fleet of 90 ERJ 145 family aircraft," said Bryan Bedford Chairman, President and CEO of Republic Airways Holdings, parent of Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America.

The jet is configured with a single-class interior with seating for 86 passengers. The historic delivery comes a little over seven months after the 300th E-Jet was delivered to Northwest Airlines, in October 2007.

FMI: www.embraer.com, www.republicairways.com