Very light jet may be priority for Brazilian manufacturer
Embraer expects to reveal detailed plans for its new business-jet venture by the end of April, with indications that the very light jet may still be its first selected target.
Embraer president and chief executive Maurico Botelho says the company plans to "become a major player in the executive aviation market within 10 years" and is "still understanding where we will be expanding into the niches which are most attractive in our opinion".
Botelho adds that, depending on the final choice of selected business-jet projects, the company may even undertake simultaneous development programmes. But he adds: "If investment requirements are very substantial, we will probably prioritise in specific segments, and would probably begin below the Legacy rather than above it."
Overall, Embraer predicts a market for about 1,395 very light jets in the corporate market over the next 10 years, but says there are "at least" another 2,000 potential sales over this period in the same category if the air-taxi market materialises.
Luis Carlos Affonso, newly appointed senior vice-president for corporate aviation, says: "We need a wider product portfolio and we are studying ways of providing better and more innovative solutions and services."
Affonso says outside the potential air taxi market, Embraer expects the value of the overall business aircraft market to grow from $23.4 billion in 2004 to about $33.6 billion in 2014. Of this, it predicts the original equipment manufacturers' share will grow from $10.5 billion to $16 billion over the same period.
"Embraer's share is only modest," Affonso adds. "We have only the Legacy, and our vision is to grow this at the top and bottom end." Meanwhile, further improvements continue to be implemented for the Legacy, including recent certification for a higher service ceiling of 41,000ft. The first version cleared for operations at the higher altitude will be delivered in the second quarter of 2005, says Embraer.
It is also introducing new cabin features over the same period, such as improved high-speed data and wireless connections. Improved take-off and landing clearance at high-altitude airports up to 9,500ft is also expected by the end of 2005, as is the introduction of the weight-saving electronic flight bag, and a light-emitting diode cabin lighting system.
Source: Flight International
