US Airways, LOT Accept First Jets

Embraer announced Monday that U.S. launch customer US Airways has taken delivery of its first two 170 airliners. The company ordered 85 Embraer 170 jets and took options on an additional 50 in May 2003. US Airways -- the nation's seventh largest airline -- plans to put the airplanes into service in early April. The carrier currently serves nearly 200 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Embraer 170 was awarded type certification from Brazilian, U.S. and European authorities last February, paving the way for deliveries to start in key markets of the world. The 170 is the first of a four-member family of commercial jets specifically designed by the Brazilian manufacturer for the untapped 70- to 110-seat market. 

In addition to the US airways launch, Embraer also announced that Poland's LOT Polish Airlines has taken delivery of its first Embraer 170 airliner. The airplane, leased from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), is  to be placed into service before the end of March. The new 170 fleet will support LOT Polish Airlines' expansion of its regional network from the Warsaw hub by providing more seat capacity and aircraft range to access new markets. LOT Polish Airlines already flies 14 50- passenger ERJ 145 aircraft, and will be operating 10 Embraer 170s up to mid- 2005, with options for 11 more aircraft of the type.

"Entry into service (EIS) for the new airliner is an important milestone for the program," said Flavio Rimoli, Embraer's Senior Vice-President - Airline Market.

FMI: www.embraer.com