Aircraft

Flight International Online news 11:00GMT: Embraer will have cleared its smaller regional jet backlog by the middle of next year, but will be able to maintain the production line with orders for its ERJ-based Legacy range of business jets, the Brazilian manufacturer’s CEO Mauricio Botelho told analysts today during the company’s third quarter results conference call.

Botelho also admitted that Embraer’s short- to medium-term outlook did not include new sales for its range of 35- to 50-seat ERJ regional jets, but did hold hope for new sales and replacement orders further into the future.

This forecast is akin to rival manufacturer Bombardier, which will suspend its smaller regional jet production line in January. Although its is known that the Canadian firm intends to shift most of its 55 regional jet backlog on September 30 to larger CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft, it is unclear of Embraer intends to deliver its 51-strong ERJ backlog (also at September 30) or convert the orders to its family of E-Jets.

“On the 50-seater aircraft, we don’t see any new big sales,” said Botelho today. “The product has fulfilled demand; there are over 2,000 [50-seater] aircraft flying.”

However, the CEO notes: “We do see some sales, for example in China, but orders in the West, there will not be some for some time. There will be replacement orders and follow-on orders [but] not at the pace and size of the past.”

He adds: “We see airlines going for larger aircraft.”

DARREN SHANNON / WASHINGTON