Newstrack

Embraer delivers first Embraer 170 Jet to Virgin Blue

EAW Staff - Mumbai

Embraer delivered the first Embraer 170 jet to Australia's Virgin Blue Airlines, during a ceremony held at Embraer's headquarters in São José Dos Campos, Brazil. Virgin Blue has six firm orders for the Embraer 170 and 14 for the Embraer 190.

In November 2006, Virgin Blue placed an initial order for three Embraer 170s and 11 Embraer 190s. In April 2007, the airline reinforced its confidence in the fleet expansion strategy based on the E-Jets by confirming three Embraer 170 options and three Embraer 190 purchase rights, for the current total of 20 firm orders. The company also has three options for the Embraer 190 and 17 purchase rights.

"We are thrilled to be able to make this first delivery to Virgin Blue," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer president and CEO. "Virgin Blue is setting new standards in Oceania with its New World Carrier branding, and their decision further demonstrates the worldwide versatility of the E-Jets applications."

Virgin Blue's Embraer 170 jets are configured with 78 seats, and the Embraer 190 jets with 104 seats, both in a comfortable single-class configuration. The Embraer 190 will be the first of the family, in the world, to fly under the ETOPS (extended-range twin-engine operational performance standards) certification, starting in the first semester of 2008. This certification allows aircraft to safely operate on direct flights over large uninhabited areas, such as oceans and deserts, and is one more example of the high technological level of Embraer's E-Jets. "Today's delivery of the first of E-Jet heralds the beginning of new and exciting developments for the Australian aviation market," said Brett Godfrey, Virgin Blue CEO. "The Embraer EJets are ideally suited to our direction, the needs of air travellers, and the geography of air routes in our part of the world. From a guest point of view, these are the highest performance jets - sleek, comfortable and spacious - that Australian air travellers will experience for the first time. We can't wait to introduce the aircraft to Virgin Blue guests in the coming weeks."