Mario Fonseca/RIO DE JANEIRO
Rio Sul, the São Paulo-based regional affiliate of Varig, has converted options on 15 Embraer ERJ-145LRs in a deal worth $ 250 million.
Deliveries of the new aircraft will begin in June, and continue until December 2003. Rio Sul will take six of the new 50-seaters, while nine will be operated by the airline's Salvador, Brazil-based subsidiary Nordeste, which has been operating a trio of ERJ-145s since last year under an agreement with Rio Sul. The results garnered from this lease spurred inclusion of Nordeste in this latest order for the ERJ-145.
"Conversion of the ERJ-145 options allows us not only to replace our turboprop fleet, but further enhance Rio Sul's and Nordeste's services over the entire scope of their route network", says Rio Sul chief executive Dr Percy Rodrigues.
Rio Sul operates seven Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops, at least three of which are expected to be retired this year. Nordeste has six Fokker 50 turboprops and three Brasilias.
Rio Sul has 15 ERJ-145s, and the addition of further examples will allow the carrier to expand its route network.
The airline is seeking approval for more regional routes, some of which are earmarked for ERJ-145s operating from the airline's hub at São Paulo's Congonhas Airport. But with few slots available and stand availability at a premium, no permit has yet been granted for these additional services.
Source: Flight International
