Brazilian airframer Embraer is pushing hard for sales of the Legacy super-midsize business aircraft in the Middle East.
Currently three are in service in the region – two with Kuwait-based operator Gulf Aviation and one with a private owner in Saudi Arabia – and Luiz Fuchs, senior vice-president for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, is confident he'll have another sale to announce "first quarter 2004".
Embraer may be a new player in the Middle East, but he says the business case for the Legacy, "a proven cost benefit", makes it a strong contender in a market where range and performance are key factors.
"The Middle East is assuming an ever-greater role in world aviation and we are keen to expand our presence in the region. Our products are capable of meeting the needs of airlines and operators in general with outstanding levels of reliability, performance and economy," says Fuchs.
He says that a cabin size of 1,410ft3 (50m3), "60% larger than others in the super-mid size class", and a range of 3,250nm (6,000km) with up to 16 passengers makes the Legacy Executive price tag of $21million "great value".
The Legacy Executive, on show here in 13- and 14-seat configurations, incorporates modifications that include the addition of winglets and fuselage reinforcements, extra fuel tanks and enhanced fuel system and higher-rated turbo-fan engines.
Source: Flight Daily News
