Posted on 06/10/2003 9:07:36 AM PDT by ContentiousObjector
Embraer today announced an order from JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU) for 100 EMBRAER 190 airliners with deliveries starting in the third quarter of 2005. The airline also took options on 100 additional EMBRAER 190s. The total value of the firm contract at list price is US$ 3 billion, with a potential value of more than US$ 6 billion if all options are converted.
With this order, JetBlue becomes the launch customer for this model of the EMBRAER 170/190 family of airliners. JetBlue will outfit the aircraft with 100 leather seats, four abreast at 32-inch pitch with its signature DIRECTV satellite television in every seat.
?JetBlue has established itself as a leading carrier in the low-fare market, and to have our aircraft chosen to join this prestigious fleet is the highest praise," said Maurício Botelho, President and CEO of Embraer. "JetBlue passengers will find the EMBRAER 190 provides them with the same high standards of cabin comfort and appeal they are used to on JetBlue, offering a truly seamless experience throughout the JetBlue system.
?Through this new agreement with Embraer, JetBlue will bring its superior product and award-winning customer service to the many mid-sized markets desperately in need of low fares and high quality service,? said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. ?Since our first full year of operations in 2001, we have achieved continued profitability through our focus on innovation and low costs. Our unwillingness to rest on our success is evident today. With a combined Airbus and Embraer fleet, we believe we will be well-positioned to offer a better product to markets of all sizes across the U.S., without compromising the low fares, cabin comfort and great service that are the hallmarks of the JetBlue experience.?
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. The airline has carried more than 13 million passengers since launching operations in February 2000. JetBlue features roomy all-leather seats each equipped with free live satellite television offering up to 24 channels of DIRECTV programming on every one of its 42 new Airbus A320 aircraft. JetBlue currently serves 22 cities across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
The EMBRAER 190 is member of Embraer?s new family of airliners in the 70- to 110-seat market segment. The family is composed of the EMBRAER 170, EMBRAER 175, EMBRAER 190 and EMBRAER 195. First in the family, the EMBRAER 170 is just completing its flight and certification program and will be delivered to its first customer Alitalia this year.
The EMBRAER 190 is powered by twin, under-wing mounted General Electric CF34-10E engines and features other components from major U.S. aerospace suppliers, including Honeywell, Hamilton Sundstrand and Goodrich Corporation. Like the other members of the family, the EMBRAER 190 has four main doors and offers airlines lowest turn around time and maximum cabin configuration flexibility for dual class, single class, or higher-density seating arrangements.
Fifteen of the aircraft will derive from an existing order with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The agreement with JetBlue brings Embraer?s order book for the EMBRAER 170/190 family to 234 firm orders and 289 options.
EMBRAER 190 Will be Available Earlier than Originally Scheduled
The EMBRAER 190 will be available earlier than previously planned and before the EMBRAER 195, as a result of growing market interest for the type. According to the program?s revised schedule, the first of this 98? to 106-passenger jetliner will be certified and delivered in the third quarter of 2005. Certification of the EMBRAER 195 is scheduled for the second quarter of 2006.
Changing market conditions drove us to review the original EMBRAER 190 development schedule, and since the aircraft has 95 percent commonality of parts, structures and systems with the larger EMBRAER 195, this is going to be a straightforward process?, said Luís Carlos Affonso, EMBRAER 170/190 Program Director and Senior Vice-President, Engineering and New Product Development.
Three EMBRAER 190 aircraft will be engaged in the development and certification program, and two complete airframes will take part in the static and dynamic structural test campaign. First flight of the EMBRAER 190 is scheduled for the first quarter of 2004.
It's less expensive than the Boeing 717 (aka MD-95) or Airbus A318 and more economical to opperate.
Up to this point Boeing and Airbus have left Bombardier and Embraer alone, and didn't really bother trying to compete, but with the Embraer 190 they will have to. Bombardier will also have to come up with an answer to it.
Ok, so it isn't exactly the same, but I am very happy with Brazil...
Oh yes, I really want to fly on an airline that buys jets from a country with a commnunist government.
Thats my opinion and sticking with it till proven wrong.
Embraer isn't exactly putting these together in the middle of the jungle. They have a magnificent safety record
What makes you think that the French (airbus) make better planes than they do in Brazil.
There are four reasons these planes were bought, their maker has a superb safety record, their planes cost lest to buy, their planes cost less to run, and their planes cost less to maintain.
Boeing and Airbus must each come up with a better plane that costs less. If they can't, Boeing and AirBus will lose this segment of the market.
There are many on this site who say we should only buy from those with the same political views.... not what is best. It is the most socialist statement that can be made. They prove that they do not believe in free markets. They believe in controlled markets... and controlled markets are the very essencws of the socialist concept.
And it isn't built in an enemy country!
Brazil was against the war also, and little Lulu is far more hostile than Chretien is.
For what it is worth, Bombardier employs alot of people in Kansas
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.