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Embraer last week completed seven days of operational trials for its latest regional jet, the Embraer 190, branded ‘Empress of London City’ at the city centre’s premier business airport, London City Airport.
Welcoming the new jet, Richard Gooding, CEO of the airport commented: "For the past 15 years the BAe 146/RJ Series has been the workhorse at London City. Now is the time to turn the attention to the future. The arrival of the EMBRAER 190 is an important waypoint and Embraer is stimulating the market, giving a wider choice of options for new generation jets at London City. The smaller Embraer 170 is already certificated for London City operations and British Airways CityFlyer plans to commence operations with this aircraft in October 2009."
British Airways’ wholly owned subsidiary BA CityFlyer, has ordered a fleet of 11 Embraer 170s (70 seats) and 190s (98 seats) and is looking forward to putting its first 190 into service in March 2010.
Managing Director BA CityFlyer Peter Simpson confirmed the aircraft would replace the existing four-engined BAE Avro jets: "The Embraer fleet will also deliver important environmental improvements and economic benefits in today’s challenging market place,” he said. Embraer’s Jose Luis d’Avila Molina, making his debut in London at his first press conference as newly appointed Vice President Airline Market, Europe, Middle East and Africa, highlighted that 57% of London City’s movements today are flown by jet aircraft – an excellent growth market for the Embraer family. The larger 190 is 90% similar to the 170, already certificated, so there should be no surprises toward obtaining certification, which Embraer hopes to achieve by year end, he said.
Recent extensive flight testing was conducted in Macapa, North Brazil, providing similar conditions – at sea level – as London City. The Embraer 190 performed the steep approaches at London City with the use of a software solution developed on the existing fly-by-wire system, delivering better flight qualities and control, reduced pilot workload, less weight and reduced maintenance costs. The Embraer 190’s range from London City is over 800 nm (1,500 km), covering all current routes served by the airport, plus more distant important European cities such as Madrid and Lisbon.
London City Airport and Embraer also used this opportunity to test parking and handling compatibility on the ground.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
