Eastern European Carrier Operates Leased E-195
Embraer announced Tuesday the sale of the first Embraer 195 jet
to Montenegro Airlines. The agreement also includes purchase rights
for two more aircraft of the same model. The value of the deal, at
list price, is $39.5 million, and could total $118.5 million if all
of the purchase rights are exercised.
The Embraer 195 for Montenegro Airlines will be configured in a
116-seat, single-class layout, with delivery expected in 2009. The
company plans to use the new airplane for key markets on the
European continent, including routes to cities like London and
Moscow.
"Montenegro Airlines is joining a select group of airlines,
worldwide, that have chosen to operate Embraer 190 or Embraer 195
jets, including, among others, US Airways, Air Canada, Holland's
KLM, Germany's Lufthansa, Britain's Flybe, France's Regional (Air
France Group), and Finland's Finnair," stated Mauro Kern, Embraer
Executive Vice President, Airline Market. "We are honored by
Montenegro Airlines' decision, and happy to offer its passengers
the most modern and comfortable experience on the market."
Last June, Embraer delivered the first Embraer 195 to Montenegro
Airlines through a leasing operation carried out by GE Commercial
Aviation Services (GECAS). This leasing contract includes another
aircraft of the same model for delivery next year that will
increase the airline's fleet to three Embraer 195s by mid-2009.
"We are very satisfied with the performance of the Embraer 195
and, for that reason, we decided to invest in expanding our fleet
with this aircraft," said Zoran Durisic, President of Montenegro
Airlines. "Embraer's E-Jets family has enjoyed great success with
important airlines in Europe, the United States, and Asia, and our
decision will allow us to offer the appropriate comfort and
capacity for the markets of interest to our customers."
Andrija Lompar, the Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and
Telecommunications of the Republic of Montenegro, stated: "The
decision to purchase an aircraft is a highly committing business
project, which, from the strategic point of view, creates new
development perspectives for Montenegro and its citizens. The
country acquired its tourism identity and set its strategy as a
high-end European destination, therefore it is our commitment to
provide a quality link of the country to Europe. Next year, with
three new Embraer E-Jets in the fleet of this national airline, it
will continue the expected passenger growth trend, entering new
markets and introducing more destinations, thus making a quality
contribution to economic development."
The Embraer 195 is the largest and newest aircraft of the modern
four-member Embraer 170/190 family of E-Jets, and entered revenue
service in September 2006. On June 30, 2008, the E-Jets had logged
847 firm orders and 827 options. Today, orders have come from more
than 50 customers in 30 countries, worldwide, and over 400 aircraft
in operation have surpassed 1.5 million flight hours.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.13.24)
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