Embraer is doubling the size of its business jet sales team in Europe, the Middle East and Africa after recording stronger-than-forecast sales of its Legacy and Phenom ranges in the region.
The Brazilian manufacturer is boosting the business jet team at its European headquarters in Paris by six staff, focusing on specific sub-regions. Embraer has sold 32 ERJ-135-based Legacy 600s in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, representing almost half the global total of 65, says Colin Steven, vice-president sales and marketing for the region. This has prompted the firm to base a demonstrator in Europe from next March.
Steven says the Legacy 600 is a particularly strong seller in the Persian Gulf, where customers require a large-cabin, medium-range business jet for regional flights. “They move a lot of people together in the Middle East and we’ve seen the Legacy 600 used on the Jeddah to Riyadh, Dubai, Bahrain type of routes,” he says.
Steven says the jet’s relatively immediate availability is another selling point in the region, as well as its short field capability. The new team will also focus on sales of the Phenom 100 and 300 light jet family, which he says has sold “well” since its official launch at November’s US National Business Aviation Association convention.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE/PARIS
Source: Flight International
