Now Allowed to Start Revenue Service

Embraer has been granted final type and production certification for the EMBRAER 170 airliner from the Brazilian Centro Tecnico Aerospacial (CTA). A letter of recommendation from the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and issuance of a final type certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will follow shortly.

Embraer also expects the newly established European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to issue its type certificate for the EMBRAER 170 early next week. Awarding of final type certification for the EMBRAER 170 paves the way for the first deliveries and allows the aircraft to enter revenue service. Embraer expects deliveries to LOT Polish Airlines, Alitalia and U.S. Airways to begin shortly.

"We are very glad that the EMBRAER 170 is soon to enter revenue service in key European and U.S. markets, where we believe its attractive economics and high levels of comfort will please both airlines and passengers," said Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso, Embraer Executive Vice-President Corporate & CFO.

Conclusion of the certification process validates the excellent characteristics of this aircraft, namely its runway performance, high levels of comfort, low fuel consumption and reduced maintenance costs.

The certification program for the EMBRAER 170 involved the production of more than 2,000 certification reports, as well as some 4,000 development and supporting documents. More than 1,000 meetings were held with CTA certification officials, and an additional 120 meetings were conducted with JAA and FAA officials with CTA's support.

The flight test program involved six prototypes and one production aircraft used for reliability testing. An additional 250 tests were conducted in laboratories and ground test simulators.

"The simultaneous CTA, JAA and FAA's certification processes were an indication of the close cooperation between Embraer and the authorities in the application of harmonized certification requirements. Embraer congratulates the authorities, its partners and its workforce on this great achievement," said Luis Carlos Affonso, Senior Vice-President, Engineering and New Product Development.

This simultaneous certification campaign enabled the development of a single Type Design for the EMBRAER 170, which allows the company to deliver it in the same certified configuration for Brazilian, European and US operators. The EMBRAER 170 is the first of a four-member jet family to be granted final type certification from Brazilian, European and U.S. aerospace agencies. The EMBRAER 175 should be next, with its final certification expected in the fourth quarter of 2004, followed by the EMBRAER 190 in the third quarter of 2005, and the EMBRAER 195 in the second quarter of 2006.

The EMBRAER 170/190 family has attracted 245 firm orders and 305 options from Air Caraibes, Alitalia, Cirrus, GECAS, JetBlue, LOT, SWISS and U.S. Airways.

FMI: www.embraer.com