JAL Will Be First To Operate E-Jet In Country

Embraer announced this week it received certification last month from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to operate the Embraer 170 jets in Japan.

The launch customer of this aircraft model in the country will be Japan Airlines (JAL), whose Embraer 170 was delivered in October. Embraer President & CEO Frederico Fleury Curado received the type certification from JCAB General Director Mr. Ryuhei Maeda.

"This certification represents an important milestone in the history of the Embraer 170/190 family of jets, and even more so when you consider the high level of requirements and technological competence of Japan’s aviation authorities," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO. "We already have two E-Jets customers in the country and we anticipate good growth perspectives for our products over the coming years."

Besides JAL, Suzuyo & Co. Ltd. also acquired two Embraer 170s, with purchase rights for one more of the same aircraft. The model was chosen to form the initial fleet of Suzuyo’s Fuji Dream Airlines, when the new Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport, located in the central region of Japan, begins operations in 2009.

Embraer expects a demand of 1,270 jets in the 30- to 120-seat segment, over the next 20 years, in the Asia Pacific region, including China, for a total market value estimated at US$ 42 billion. This calculation shows 610 aircraft being delivered from 2008 to 2017 and another 660 from 2018 to 2027.

FMI: www.embraer.com, www.jal.com