Flybe orders 14 Embraer 195 Jets

Flybe, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, has signed an agreement with Embraer for the purchase of 14 Embraer 195 aircraft with options on an additional 12.

Deliveries are set to begin in August 2006 and continue through to November 2007. The total value of the firm contract at list price is US$ 470 million, with a potential of reaching US$ 870 million if all options are converted.

“The Embraer 195 is ideally suited to meet the needs of our domestic and regionally focused business model. The airplane has seat costs on the sector lengths we fly which are comparable with larger jets, while with 118 seats has a capacity level which suits the thinner UK regional markets we serve. In short, the Embraer 195 allows us to deliver our famous low fares to all the regions we serve, and allows us to do it profitably, while at the same time increasing the number of regions we can serve with direct European services,” commented Jim French, Chairman and Managing Director of Flybe.

“The Embraer 195 will replace our BAe 146 fleet, and bring cost and service efficiencies. It completes our fleet rationalization strategy commenced in 2003 and will give us the youngest fleet in the airline sector. It also means that the business has addressed the strategic question of how to replace the 146 and provide a ten-year platform for profitable growth,” French continued.

Fitted with single Head-up Guidance System (HGS) and configured to seat 118 passengers, the aircraft is intended be used extensively within Flybe’s existing and expanding network, replacing the airline’s BAe 146s. With numerous bases across Britain, Flybe flies to destinations spread throughout Europe.

“As one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, Flybe honors us with its selection of the Embraer 195, the largest member of the new family of Embraer airliners,” said Maurício Botelho, Embraer President and CEO. “Flybe’s choice is yet another testament to the capabilities for airlines to right size their fleets with our family of aircraft. The Embraer 195 will combine unparalleled performance and comfort with low seat-kilometer cost. We are proud to be part of the carrier’s continued expansion within the low-cost market.”

Embraer is a leading manufacturer of jet aircraft solutions up to 110 seats. Embraer is currently developing an entirely new family of aircraft specifically designed for the commercial aviation market. The new product line comprises the Embraer 170, Embraer 175, Embraer 190 and Embraer 195 jets – seating respectively 70, 78, 100 and 108 passengers at a generous 32-inch pitch.

The high degree of commonality among the family of four airliners results in favourable spare parts and maintenance cost reduction for carriers. Moreover, cross crew qualification (CCQ) allows better utilization of resources without the restrictions normally associated with mixed-fleet flying.

Each model of the Embraer 170/190 family has two under-wing General Electric engines which are continually monitored by a redundant computerized management system called Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). This system optimizes engine operation during all phases of the flight and, in turn, reduces fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

Another important feature of the Embraer 170/190 program is the use of fly-by-wire technology for the flight control systems, similar to that which is deployed on advanced military aircraft and larger commercial jets. 

Each member of the Embraer 170/190 family has two main passenger doors and two service doors that minimize aircraft turn-around time. All four aircraft can be configured for single class or dual class seating.

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