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Estonian Air has selected Embraer, the largest producer of regional aircraft, as a regional jet manufacturer. Estonian Air is estimating a requirement for 12 Embraer E-Jet aircraft that enable the company to increase flight frequencies, open new destinations and to operate at least double daily services to main destinations in Europe. The airline is committing to pragmatic and sustainable growth in the future.
The first four 76-seater Embraer 170 will be delivered to Estonia in February 2012 under a lease agreement with Finnair. The aircraft will be used for replacing the existing Boeing aircraft and for growth. The company is currently negotiating with the manufacturer and lessors on the delivery schedules and conditions for the further eight aircraft. These aircraft will be a mix of E-175 and E-190 models, which offer 88 and 112 seats respectively. The aircraft are scheduled to enter the fleet in 2013-2015 time period.
According to Tero Taskila, the President of Estonian Air, Embraers suit for the company’s new strategy due to their efficiency, appropriate size and flying range. “The positive arguments for our customers are Embraer’s travel comforts that are comparable with that of a larger aircraft, the cabin is quiet, more spacious and has extra space for hand luggage,” he explained.
Embraer E-Jet 170 is a 76-seater new generation passenger aircraft that is meant for regional airlines. Embraers are air-bridge capable at all airports, which make the boarding and leaving the aircraft more comfortable for the passengers.
“Smaller airlines, such as Estonian Air has to be flexible. Embraer E-jet family offers range of sizes which allow us to also to offer aircraft similar size to existing smaller Boeing aircraft, but at the same time keep single fleet type efficiency and regional aircraft operating cost levels. Having a smaller and larger version of the same type of aircraft means significant economic efficiency for Estonian Air. We can change the aircraft size based on demand on routes, thus reducing the need to reducing the need to change amount of flight frequencies based on seasonality” added Taskila.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
