Spanish start-up Universal Airlines has emerged as the previously-undisclosed recipient of six Embraer 195s, which have been ordered by JJH Capital, a fund linked with travel group Globalia’s president Juan Jose Hidalgo.
Universal Airlines is a new domestic and intra-European carrier which is being established by Hidalgo. His JJH Capital fund has placed a firm order for six Embraer 195s and has secured purchase rights for another six.
The first aircraft is slated for delivery in May.
Universal will be the first operator to fly the Embraer 195 in a single-class 122-seat layout, says Embraer, giving the start-up highly-competitive unit costs compared with larger narrowbodies.
Hidalgo adds: “For short- and medium-haul lower-density routes, the Embraer 195 offers much more advantageous costs than any conventional single aisle aircraft, without compromising efficiency or passenger comfort.”
Embraer, which values the contract at $237 million, says the deal was booked against an undisclosed customer in its fourth-quarter firm order backlog.
Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: FlightGlobal.com
