Embraer has disclosed that it no longer sees Europe as a major market for its 50-seat ERJ-145 regional jet. The Brazilian manufacturer is helping Swiss International Air Lines remarket almost half of its ERJ-145 regional jets to US carriers, and says used 145s from other European operators could follow.
Embraer executive vice-president for commercial aircraft Fred Curado says he expects orders of "one or two aircraft, not tens" in Europe, where higher navigation and landing charges make the operating economics of a 50-seater difficult. The Brazilian manufacturer is working to find buyers for several of Swiss's existing Embraer fleet, mainly in the USA, ahead of delivery next year of Embraer 170s and 195s.
"There is a huge demand for 50-seaters in the USA, despite the continued existence of restrictive scope clauses," says Curado. Embraer is helping Swiss dispose of an initial 11 ERJ-145s by October. Irish regional start-up JetMagic has leased two aircraft and talks are close to completion with US regional Trans States Airlines to take a further eight.
Source: Flight International
