China Southern Airlines has signed a memorandum of agreement with Embraer for the purchase of up to 30 ERJ-145 regional jets, reports Flight International sister on-line service Air Transport Intelligence.
The carrier, China's largest, is looking to take 20 of the 50-seaters on firm order and options on 10 more, although a final contract is subject to government approval. The acquisition would be in line with calls by Beijing for Chinese airlines to expand their regional jet operations. China Eastern Airlines has already negotiated a similar deal with Bombardier, covering 30 CRJs, which is also awaiting government clearance.
Embraer has sold five ERJ-145s to Sichuan Airlines, while Bombardier has placed CRJs with Shandong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Yunnan Airlines. Fairchild Dornier has secured the biggest single order in China so far, from Hainan Airlines for 19 328JETs, plus 20 options.
Source: Flight International
