Embraer’s E2 family of commercial jets has a first potential customer in the Middle East. On Thursday, the low-cost airline SalamAir, from Oman, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to acquire 12 E195-E2 jets, the largest version of the series.
The agreement was signed between Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, and Arjan Meijer, Commercial Aviation President and CEO of Embraer, although the Brazilian company has not yet disclosed the fact.
According to Ahmed, the plan is to have six aircraft in a first phase. “Purchase of E2 jets will lower the cost including fuel and it will also help us to increase our domestic and regional routes and other international destinations,” said Captain Mohamed.
Although it is not yet considered a closed order, which should occur in the coming months, Arjan Meijer stated that the first E195-E2 will be delivered in 2023. SalamAir’s CEO intends to have three of them in November next year and more three aircraft in the following month.
SalamAir started operations in January 2017 and currently has an exclusive Airbus fleet, six A320neo and four A321neo.
The deal is expected to expand firm orders for the E195-E2 to at least 213 aircraft. Embraer is expected to detail 3rd quarter results on November 4th.
