Aircraft

Embraer has sold two Legacy 600 large-cabin, medium-range business jets to two Indonesian customers, marking the second and third corporate sales in Asia for the Brazilian manufacturer.

Embraer says both aircraft will be delivered this year, but declines to disclose the customers or operators. Industry sources, however, say the first Legacy will be delivered in March or April to oil and gas company Medco. Air Fast has been hired to operate the aircraft, which was previously used by Embraer as a demonstrator. Sources also say the second aircraft will be delivered at the end of this year and will be leased by VIP charter operator PT Exspres Transportasi Antarbenua. PT Exspres, which is branded as Premiar, already operates an Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, Fokker 100 and Fokker 28 in VIP configuration.

Macau-based Jet Asia now operates the only Embraer corporate jet in Asia, a US-registered Legacy 600 it manages on behalf of casino owner David Chow. There are also five Legacy 600s operating in India for the government.

Embraer wants to add maintenance capability in the region to support the growing fleet and develop additional sales. Jet Aviation Singapore and Hawker Pacific Singapore say they both are looking at adding Embraer to their business aircraft maintenance portfolios.

Jet Asia, which has its own line maintenance facility, says it was also asked by Embraer to introduce a heavy maintenance capability for the Legacy but says the infrastructure in Macau is not sufficient.