Will Operate Plane On Domestic Routes

Brazilian planemaker Embraer tells ANN it has delivered the first ERJ 145 to the government of the State of Bauchi, Nigeria. The agreement signed in September 2006 includes a purchase option for another aircraft of the same model.

The Bauchi State government will operate the ERJ 145 jet on domestic routes.

Nigeria has proven to be a lucrative market for Embraer. In 2005, the company delivered a Legacy 600 executive jet, configured to transport government officials, to the Rivers State government.

"We are proud to deliver this first aircraft to the Bauchi State government, marking the introduction of the ERJ 145 in Nigeria," said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, Embraer’s Executive Vice President, Defense and Government Market. "Our ultimate goal is to completely satisfy the government of the State of Bauchi with our product."

The ERJ 145 family is composed of three aircraft models, with capacities ranging from 37 to 50 seats -- ERJ 135, ERJ 140, and ERJ 145. This versatile platform enabled Embraer to develop the Legacy 600 executive jet and the ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems.

Up to March 31, 2007, Embraer had delivered nearly 1,000 ERJ 145 family jets, 861 of which to airlines. The company currently operates an ERJ 145 assembly facility in Harbin, China, through a joint venture with China's AVIC II Group.

Embraer's Defense aircraft operate in more than 20 countries, worldwide, including transport aircraft operated by seven governments.

FMI: www.embraer.com