The “dramatic evolution” of the airline market in recent times prompted Austrian low-cost carrier NIKI to opt for Embraer 190 jets in a deal announced at Farnborough yesterday.
For Embraer, it was one of two orders announced, with a combined value (if options are exercised) of around $825 million.
NIKI, whose founder and president is former Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda, announced an order for five aircraft valued at $187.5 million. It also took options on a further five aircraft – either the Embraer 190 or 195 – which would double the value of the order.
The second deal saw Embraer sign a $450 million agreement with Aeromexico for 12 Embraer 190 jets. The aircraft will be flown by its Aeromexico Connect subsidiary, which has operated four Embraer 190s on lease since last November.
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At yesterday’s NIKI signing Lauda said his airline needed an aircraft “below the Airbus size” of his existing fleet and so opted for the Embraer 190.
“Operating an airline in such a challenging environment as we have today requires that you select the best aircraft to fulfil your mission,” he says.
“The airline market has been dramatically evolving lately and, thanks to the economical performance of the Embraer 190, we can now afford to operate two different aircraft in our fleet.”
The aircraft, the first two of which will be delivered next year, will be used on NIKI’s route between Vienna and Innsbruck, as well as planned new routes.
Source: Flight International
