Jet-builder Embraer S.A. has an agreement to deliver 30 E195-E2 narrow-body aircraft to Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., a low-cost carrier owned by the founder of the U.S. carrier JetBlue, and focused on “underserved” markets across Brazil. Azul Linhas currently has a fleet of 76 Embraer 195 jets.
According to Embraer, the contract has an estimated value of $3.2 billion at current list prices, and the terms also include options for 20 additional jets of the same model, bringing the total potential order up to 50 E195-E2 jets.
“Our partnership with Embraer, since the founding of Azul, has been decisive for consolidating our business plan and our growth in the domestic aviation market. By choosing airplanes built and developed in Brazil, Azul contributes to generating and maintaining jobs, as well as to the development of Brazil’s economy,” stated David Neeleman, CEO of Azul. “The E2 will be the most advanced airplane in its category, providing a savings on fuel burn more than 20% higher than the current model. That will be fundamental for maintaining our competitive fares and for growing in the domestic market.”
The E195-E2 is one of three models in Embraer’s new E2 series of narrow-body, twin-engine aircraft developed for medium-range routes. The new jets are meant to replace Embraer’s previous E-Jet series, but the first will not be delivered for service before 2018.
The E195-E2 version (the same model that Azul has ordered) is scheduled to enter service in 2019. Azul’s first deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2020.
Embraer’s E-Jets E2s will have Pratt & Whitney PurePower™ geared turbofan, high by-pass ratio engines (PW1700G on the E175-E2, PW1900G on the E190-E2 and E195-E2), an aerodynamically advanced wing design, full fly-by-wire flight controls, and other improvements intended to reduce fuel burn, maintenance costs, emissions, and noise.
Currently, Azul has a total of 82 E-Jets in service and orders in place for six more E195s. Embraer noted Azul operates the world’s largest fleet of E195s. With Azul’s new order, Embraer’s E2 backlog is up to 242 firm orders, plus 348 options and purchase rights.
Paulo César Silva, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, called Azul’s new contract “a show of confidence in the E-Jets E2 program, which is following in the steps of the commercial success of the current E-Jets generation. For that reason, we continually invest in meeting the demands of the airline companies for an even more efficient generation of aircraft.”
