First To Fly 122-Seat Configuration

Aero-News has learned Brazilian planemaker Embraer recently signed a firm order with JJH Capital, owned by Juan José Hidalgo, President of Air Europa and Globalia, for six Embraer 195 jets, plus purchase rights for another six aircraft. The total value of the deal is $237 million at list price, based on January 2008 economic conditions, and could double, if all purchase rights are confirmed.

This deal is already included in Embraer’s fourth quarter firm order backlog as "undisclosed."

"This contract with JJH Capital is very significant for Embraer. We are very proud to break into the extremely active Spanish airline market," said Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. "I’m sure the Embraer 195 will fulfill all Universal Airlines’ expectations, offering a unique combination of excellent economics, high operating flexibility and distinctive passenger comfort."

The Embraer 195s will be flown by Hidalgo’s newly created air carrier, Universal Airlines, serving domestic and intra-European network routes. The first delivery is scheduled for May 2008, and Universal will be the first operator in the world to fly the Embraer 195 in a single-class 122-seat layout -- which Embraer says makes the regional airliner highly competitive on a cost-per-seat basis against larger narrowbodies.

"For short and medium haul lower density routes, the Embraer 195 offers much more advantageous costs than any conventional single aisle aircraft, without compromising efficiency or passenger comfort," said Juan José Hidalgo, President of JJH Capital.

The Embraer 195 is the largest aircraft of the four-member E-Jets family, and entered revenue service in September 2006. On December 31, 2007, the Embraer 170/190 E-Jets had logged 764 firm orders and 786 options from more than 40 customers in 25 countries on five continents, and had surpassed one million flight hours.

FMI: www.embraer.com