Airline Is Second U.S. Carrier to Operate Embraer's Newest
Airliner
On Tuesday, Embraer announced an order from Republic Airways
Holdings for up to 50 EMBRAER 170 airliners. Under the agreement,
13 firm aircraft will begin delivery in the third quarter of 2004.
Republic Airways Holdings also holds options on another 37 aircraft
of the same model, with 12 to be confirmed by July 1. Delivery of
the 13 firm aircraft will begin in the third quarter and continue
through the first quarter 2005. The total value of the firm order
at list price is US$ 325 million, with a potential value of US$
1.25 billion if all options are converted. Republic Airways
Holdings, through its subsidiaries, is the third largest operator
of Embraer aircraft worldwide. The EMBRAER 170/190 family has
already attracted 245 firm orders and 305 options from Air
Caraibes, Alitalia, Cirrus, GECAS, JetBlue, LOT Polish Airlines,
SWISS, and U.S. Airways. U.S. Airways will be the first U.S.
operator of the new jet when it begins operations this spring.
In February, the 70-78 seat EMBRAER 170 was awarded final type
certification from the Brazilian Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial (CTA),
the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), while also
securing a letter of recommendation from the European Joint
Aviation Authorities (JAA). Certification paved the way for
deliveries of the first EMBRAER 170 units, which began in
March.
"This agreement is the continuation of a long association with
Republic Airways Holdings and further evidence of the market
acceptance of the new EMBRAER 170/190 family of airliners," said
Mauricio Botelho, President and CEO of Embraer. "With a fleet of 85
aircraft, Republic is among our three largest operators for our ERJ
145 line, and their move to the new EMBRAER 170 clearly establishes
them as a leader in the U.S. market."
"The addition of the EMBRAER 170 jets to the fleet of Republic
Airlines will offer expanded opportunities for our business as
network carriers continue to look for larger capacity aircraft
capable of offering a true mainline product but at regional jet
operating economics," said Bryan Bedford, Chairman, President and
CEO of Republic Airways Holdings. "This order will allow us to
further Republic Airways Holdings' goal of delivering high quality,
low cost regional jet lift to our major airline partners."
"To have our new Embraer 170 aircraft chosen to join Republic's
fleet of aircraft is the highest praise," Botelho said. "Network
carriers that partner with Republic Airways Holdings subsidiaries
will find the EMBRAER 170 will follow the same successful path of
the ERJ 145."