Embraer has landed its first east Asian customer for the 170 regional jet with an order from Bangkok-based PB Air for up to three aircraft plus two 50-seat ERJ-145s.
An initial ERJ-145 dry-leased from Embraer should arrive by late December and the first 170 a year later, with deliveries to be completed in 2004, says PB commercial director Sarene Sukhum.
He says the orders for the 70-seat 170 can be switched to the stretched 175. PB will use the aircraft to replace three ageing Fokker F28 Mk4000s, which operate domestically. The 170s will inaugurate a five-times weekly Luang Prabang service from Bangkok under a codeshare with Thai Airways International and Lao Aviation.
Orders for additional aircraft could follow as PB aims to add more routes to neighbouring countries over the next few years.
The carrier has received most of its routes from Thai, which now codeshares on many domestic services operated by PB and Air Andaman.
Source: Flight International
