Aircraft

Airframer took over work after supplier struggled to comply with 'quality and schedule'

Embraer cites issues with build quality and delivery schedules as the catalyst for taking over E-190 production work from supplier Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI).

Embraer chief executive Mauricio Botelho confirmed last week that the Brazilian airframer has assumed some of KHI's E-190 supply contract to maintain quality standards and guarantee on-time deliveries.

Earlier this year, the Japanese manufacturer indicated that its Embraer supply deal was to be revised and in June the Brazilian airframer confirmed it would assume work from July on metallic parts for the E-190 and E-195 wings once contracted to KHI's local subsidiary Kawasaki Aeronáutica do Brasil (KAB), based at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto plant in upstate São Paulo.

Botelho says: "We have a problem of quality and a problem of compliance to the time schedule," adding: "As this was not solved, we took it from them."

KHI was not available for comment on the issues.

In May it emerged that the Japanese manufacturer had a problem increasing production of several components it supplies to original equipment manufacturers. KHI is predominately a Boeing supplier and manufactures fuselage sections for the 777 and the 787.

■ Colombian carrier AeroRepública is expanding its Embraer 190 fleet under a new lease agreement. General Electric Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) will deliver two 106-seat E-190s to the airline next year. The deal brings to seven the number of E-190 delivery commitments held by AeroRepública.