Flight International Online news 10:00GMT: Oneworld carrier Finnair has exercised options on four Embraer 170s, converting them to firm orders for the larger Embraer 190 aircraft.
Finnair has also adjusted its initial order for 12 Embraer 170s placed in the summer of 2004, to now feature two Embraer 190s. As a result it now has ten of the 76-seat jets and six of the 100-seat versions on order. All of Finnair’s Embraer 190s will be long-range versions.
The Finnish carrier took delivery of its first Embraer 170 in September. The first ten Embraers delivered will be 70-seat jets and will be followed by the six Embraer 190s from late next year. Deliveries will be completed by autumn 2007.
Finnair retains options on four more Embraer 170s, which can again be converted into other members of the E-Jet family.
Finnair chief operating officer Henrik Arle says: “The new aircraft will be used on European and domestic routes where demand does not require the use of our Airbus [A320 family] fleet.
“As we are continuing with our strategy by acquiring the best possible fleet for our feeder traffic, the Embraer 190 will enable us to fill the gap between the Embraer 170ss and the Airbus A319/A320s.
“The five different sized aircraft of our two aircraft families bring flexibility in capacity management and thus improve load factors.”
Finnair ordered the Embraer regional jets to replace its remaining Boeing MD-80s, which will be replaced by summer 2006.
GRAHAM DUNN / LONDON
Source: Flight International
