SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil,
May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Embraer (EMBRAER S.A. NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA:
EMBR3) and SkyWest Inc. (SkyWest) announced a firm order,
today, for 40 EMBRAER 175 aircraft. SkyWest will operate the
aircraft under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United
Airlines. Another 60 firm orders are reconfirmable aircraft, which
are subject to SkyWest being awarded CPA agreement contracts with
major U.S. airline partners. In addition to that, the agreement
includes options for another 100 E175s, taking the total order
potential up to 200 airplanes.
The firm orders for the first 40 aircraft will be included in
Embraer's 2013 second quarter backlog. This sale is in addition to
the contract signed by Embraer with United Airlines for 30 firm and
40 options for E175 jets.
If all 100 firm orders are exercised, the order has an estimated
value of USD 4.1 billion at current
list prices, representing one of the most significant orders in
each company's histories. SkyWest plans to configure the E175s in a
dual-class 76-seat layout, with the delivery of the first aircraft
scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.
"This is truly a milestone order for Embraer. As our largest
Brasilia and ERJ operator, SkyWest
has now selected the enhanced E-Jet for their fleet, validating
their confidence in Embraer and recognizing the tremendous
capabilities of the E175 as the best aircraft in its class," said
Paulo Cesar Silva, President &
CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. "I'm confident the
technologically advanced E175 will become the company's flagship,
bringing greater efficiency to their operations and a higher
standard of comfort to their customers."
SkyWest, based in the U.S. State of
Utah, is the largest regional airline group in the world and
is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines.
Both airlines have long histories with Embraer and were early
customers for the Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft. Over
40 EMB 120 Brasilias continue to fly in the SkyWest Airlines
network, primarily in the western United
States. ExpressJet Airlines operates 249 aircraft of the ERJ
145 family and is the largest ERJ operator in the world.
Jerry Atkin, Chairman and CEO of
SkyWest, said, "We have enjoyed our partnership with Embraer since
the 1980s, and now it is extremely rewarding to be placing this
significant order for E175s. We are confident the E-Jet will serve
our partners and passengers well, with greater cabin comfort and
with the best economics in its class."
As the leader in the 70 to 120-seat segment, Embraer continues
to invest in the E-Jets family, which is flown by some 60 airlines
from 40 countries. The Company has begun implementing a series of
enhancements to the E175, including new wingtips, systems
optimization, and aerodynamic refinements that will lower fuel burn
by up to 5%. Longer maintenance intervals and component
improvements will increase aircraft productivity and lower
maintenance costs. All the SkyWest deliveries will include these
enhancements.
More than 150 E175s are currently in service with 12 carriers
around the world. Since the E175 has no over wing exits that can
restrict seat placement, operators have more flexibility in
configuring the aircraft cabin. In addition, the 2,000 nm (3,706
km) range, short field performance and superior hot and high
capability make the E175 ideal for the North American network.
Follow us on Twitter: @EmbraerSA
Contact: Investor Relations; Luciano Froes,
Paulo Ferreira, Caio Pinez, Nadia
Santos and Claudio Massud,
+011-55-12-3927-4404, investor.relations@embraer.com.br
SOURCE Embraer S.A.