Embraer still has no near-term plans to compete directly against Airbus and Boeing in the single-aisle market despite internal studies suggesting they could build a slightly better aircraft, says chief executive Frederico Curado.
Asked when Embraer could revisit plans abandoned in 2011 to design a 150-seater, Curado quickly replied: “Not in my term. I don’t think I’ll see that.”
In 2011, Embraer announced plans to begin development of a re-engined and rewinged version of the largest three members of the original E-Jet family, which was launched in June 2013. The first E190-E2 rolled out of the factory in a dramatic ceremony on 25 February.
At the time, Embraer decided it was best to avoid a direct confrontation against Airbus and Boeing in the market for aircraft sized between 150-220 seats. By doing so, Embraer avoided the competitive situation now faced by the Bombardier CSeries aircraft, which as a 135-seat model that competes directly with the Airbus A319 and Boeing 737-700.
“The 737 and A320 are very good aircraft the market is satisfied,” Curado says. “So there is no need, no pressure for something new.”
Embraer’s internal studies indicate that technology available today for a clean-sheet design could beat the economics of the re-engined A320neo and 737 Max by 3-5%, Curado adds.
“We believe we can do that now,” Curado says. “But 3-5% is absolutely insufficient to face this formidable challenge to face companies that are strong, competent, have good products and have enormous industrial production capacity.”
Source: Cirium Dashboard
