Fractional aircraft-ownership company NetJets is committing to buying another 100 of Embraer’s Phenom 300E light jets.
The deal stands to nearly double NetJets’ fleet of Phenom 300s. The operator has taken about 100 of the model since receiving its first in 2010.
Embraer Executive Jets chief executive Michael Amalfitano says the deal demonstrates continued strong demand for an aircraft he calls the most advanced in the light-jet segment.
“NetJets is doubling down on Embraer, and recommitting to another 100 Phenom 300-series aircraft,” Amalfitano says. The deal includes firm orders and options, though Embraer has not broken out those figures. The 100 aircraft are worth more than $1.2 billion, Embraer says.
Embraer expects to begin delivering the jets in the second quarter of 2023. Some will be configured in the Federal Aviation Administration’s required configuration, and some in the configuration approved by Europe’s EASA.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW500s, the 300E can carry up to 10 passengers. It has 2,010nm (3,723km) of range, maximum altitude of 45,000ft and maximum operating speed of Mach 0.8.
Embraer introduced the Phenom 300 in 2009 and handed over the first updated 300E variant in 2018.
With the 300E, Embraer redesigned the jet’s cabin, upgraded its seats and added a new flight-entertainment and cabin-management system. Then, in January 2020, Embraer rolled out a series of 300E improvements. The company updated the jet’s Garmin G3000-based flight deck to have a predictive wind shear system, an emergency descent mode and a runway overrun awareness and alerting system. The runway system warns pilots if the approach is too steep or too fast.
The updates also included noise-reduction measures and a performance boost that gave the 300E a bit more speed and range. Embraer has delivered more than 600 Phenom 300s.
