Embraer will launch its second-generation E-Jet at the Paris Air Show today, setting the stage for a showdown with Bombardier's CSeries in the 100-seat segment.
The E-Jet E2 family, as the airframer is dubbing it, will include three variants: an 80-seat E-175, 97-seat E-190 and 118-seat E-195. One row of seats will added to the E-175 and three rows to the E-195, while the smallest variant, the E-170, will be dropped.
The E-190 E2 will be the first to enter service, in the first half of 2018. The E-195 E2 will follow in 2019 and the E-175 E2 in 2020, says Embraer.
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The Brazilian airframer is now directly challenging Bombardier in the 100-seater market with the surprise stretch of its largest E-Jet. The new aircraft, with its established stable of customers, is expected to be a formidable competitor for the 110-seat CS100.
Flightglobal's Ascend Online database shows that the CS100 has garnered only 63 firm orders since launch in 2008, plus 49 options and 17 letters of intent.
Embraer has said previously that the new E-Jet will offer "double digit" gains in fuel efficiency, maintenance costs and noise reduction. While Bombardier claims that the CSeries will offer a 20% fuel-burn improvement and a 15% cash operating cost advantage over existing in-production aircraft.
"If there is a 100-seat marketplace, it's already occupied by a manufacturer," said Barry Eccleston, president and chief executive of Airbus Americas, referring to the E-190/195, in an interview with Flight International in April.
The E-175 E2 will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW1700G geared turbofan engine and the E-190/195 E2s by the higher-thrust PW1900G GTF.
The new E-Jet family will use Honeywell Primus Epic 2 avionics and include fourth-generation fly-by-wire controls and new wings.
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Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
