That's Lufthansa Partner Cirrus Airlines

Embraer says that Saarbrucken-based Cirrus Airlines (Germany) and its partners have ordered one EMBRAER 170, with an option for another unit of the same type. Delivery is expected in December 2004.

Cirrus Airlines, the youngest member of Lufthansa Partner (since March 2000), connects to the major German economic centers in a code-share agreement with Lufthansa. With its current fleet of 13 regional aircraft, Cirrus carried some 200,000 passengers over its route network in 2002.

"Embraer is extremely pleased to welcome Cirrus' order for the Embraer 170," said Mauricio Botelho, Embraer's President and CEO. "The placement of this aircraft in Cirrus' fleet marks another step in the Embraer 170/190 family's entry into Europe and our first into Germany. We are proud to be part of this new service and are fully committed to its success in introducing a new way of traveling."

Cirrus' CEO Gerd Brandecker said, "The spacious four-abreast cabin and superb economics, combined with the Embraer 170 capability for takeoff and landing on short runways, has made our choice of aircraft an easy one. We look forward to flying our customers in the style for which Embraer aircraft are renowned."

The Embraer 170's spacious four-abreast cabin can be configured with 70 to 78 seats in single class, as well as with premium seats for dual-class service. The aircraft's double-bubble fuselage ensures maximum passenger comfort and stowage space for longer flights within its 2,000 nm range.

Recently Embraer launched a new website introducing the "Rule of 70 to 110" on the growing market trend in commercial aviation toward aircraft in the 70- to 110-seat category. The new site details four critical issues facing commercial carriers today: the growing gap between capacity and demand; market requirements pushing the limits of regional jets; the aging fleet of mainline aircraft; and excess capacity on a majority of routes.

The EMBRAER 170 certification campaign continues at full steam, following the company's setting of November 2003 as the certification date for the model. The Embraer 175 successfully performed its maiden flight on June 14 and certification is due in the 2nd Quarter 2004. The Embraer 190 certification program is scheduled for the 3rd Quarter 2005, followed by the Embraer 195 certification in the 2nd Quarter 2006.

As of June 30, 2003 the Embraer 170/190 family order book totals 244 firm orders and 309 purchase options from SWISS, Air Caraibes, Alitalia, GECAS, LOT, US Airways, and JetBlue.

FMI: www.cirrus-airlines.de/english.html; www.ruleof70to110.com; www.embraer.com.br