Embraer takes the E195-E2 jet to Japan as rival SpaceJet remains suspended

Japanese jetliner developed by Mitsubishi promised to compete with the E-Jets, but the manufacturer suspended the project, paving the way for the Brazilian company
The E195-E2 Tech Lion in Tokyo (Tatsuyuki TAYAMA/Aviation Wire)

A few years ago, the E195-E2’s visit to Japan would have been purely a formal event as the chance of Embraer selling its new line of commercial jets in the country was slim given the government’s effort to make the SpaceJet program viable.

But Japan’s ambitious family of regional aircraft went bankrupt after consuming billions of dollars from the Mitsubishi group, which halted development, though few believe there is any chance of it being resumed in the future.

The setback was certainly felt a lot by All Nippon Airways, the largest Japanese airline and which was the launch customer of the aircraft since when it was called MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet). Even the prototypes had the carrier’s blue paint job for some time.

SpaceJet M90 test aircraft (Mitsubishi)

With its rival frozen, Embraer took advantage of its recent visit to the Zhuhai Airshow, in China, to extend the E195-E2 Tech Lion‘s stay in Asia. The demonstration aircraft flew to Haneda Airport, in Tokyo, where the manufacturer holds a presentation event for potential local customers.

Two customers in Japan

The E195-E2, the largest version of the E2 family, with capacity for up to 146 passengers, is an unusual aircraft for Japanese airlines, which prefer to operate larger Boeing and Airbus models.

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There is little room for regional jets in Japan, however. Embraer, for example, has two customers, Japan Airlines, through its regional subsidiary J-Air, and Fuji Dream Airlines. Both operate the smallest of the E-Jets, the E170, in addition to the E175 and E190.

In all, there are 48 Brazilian jets, 21 E170, 13 E175 and 14 E190, the oldest of them, three E170 from Fuji Dream, with an average age of 15 years.

J-Air E170 (toshinori baba)

“We look forward to exhibiting the features of the E195-E2 to Japan’s aerospace leaders, including its outstanding emissions performance, minimal noise and fuel and low operating costs,” said Raul Villaron, Asia Pacific Vice President for Embraer Commercial Aviation.

In the company’s view, there is potential for the sale of 120 aircraft with up to 150 seats in Japan over the next 20 years. In addition to the E195-E2, Embraer also produces the E190-E2, with up to 114 seats, which would be the direct competitor to the SpaceJet M90, the only version that flew of the late Mitsubishi aircraft.

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