Aircraft

Embraer says it will have cleared its order backlog for its ERJ-145 regional jet family by the middle of next year, but will be able to maintain the production line with orders for its ERJ-based Legacy business jet model.

Company chief executive Mauricio Botelho told analysts about the 37- to 50-seat ERJ-145 family production situation last week while discussing the manufacturer’s third quarter results. At 30 September, Embraer had delivered 843 ERJ-145 family aircraft, but the backlog had declined to just 51 aircraft.

“On the 50-seater aircraft, we don’t see any new big sales,” said Botelho. “The product has fulfilled demand; there are over 2,000 [50-seater] aircraft flying.” This outlook mirrors the view of rival manufacturer Bombardier, which will suspend production of its 50-seat CRJ200 series in January.

Once production of airliner ERJ models is complete, Botelho said the line’s output would be maintained at levels similar to its E-Jet output – which is running at around five a month – because of continued demand for its Legacy regional jet. He said Legacy production is accounted for until July.

Botelho said that Embraer expects some additional 50-seat demand “for example in China”, but does not expect orders from the West for some time. “There will be replacement orders and follow-on orders, [but] not at the pace and size of the past,” he said.

Embraer has already established a joint venture for the local production of ERJ-145s in China, and Botelho confirmed that the company is discussing a possible Russian link-up: “We are in talks with airlines and the [Russian] government [about the ERJ-145],” he says.

DARREN SHANNON/WASHINGTON