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Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer delivered today the first of 12 Embraer 190 Advanced Range (AR) aircraft to Copa Airlines of Panama. Additional deliveries are scheduled through 2008. In addition to the firm orders, Copa holds options on 18 Embraer 190s.
The airline's Embraer 190s are configured with 84 seats in Economy Class and ten seats in Business Class. The dual class arrangement enables Copa to offer a consistent product standard throughout its growing network from its Hub of the Americas in Panama City. "We are proud to deliver the first Embraer 190 to our launch customer in Latin America. The start of operations in Panama with this new airplane is very significant to Embraer," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Executive Vice-President, Airline Market. "Copa Airlines has one of the most modern and newest fleets in the Americas," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. "The acquisition of Embraer aircraft will allow us to continue expanding the Hub of the Americas, increasing frequencies and destinations with the same comfort aboard and the excellent service that our customers have grown accustomed to," added Heilbron. Copa's order also marks the first customer in Latin America for the Embraer 190, one member of a family of four new-generation commercial aircraft, which according to Embraer, 'feature advanced engineering design, exceptional performance efficiency, superior operating economics and a spacious cabin." More than 100 Embraer E-Jets are currently flying in the Americas, Europe and Asia in the colors of LOT Polish Airlines, Alitalia Express, US Airways Express, United Express, Delta Connection, Cirrus, Air Canada, Paramount Airways, Hong Kong Express, Finnair and JetBlue Airways. The Embraer 170/190 Family Embraer is developing a new family of aircraft designed for the commercial aviation market. The new product line comprises the Embraer 170, Embraer 175, Embraer 190 and Embraer 195 jets - seating, respectively, up to 78, 86, 108 and 118 passengers. The high degree of commonality among the family of four airliners results in spare parts and maintenance cost reduction for carriers. Moreover, cross crew qualification (CCQ) allows better utilization of resources without the restrictions normally associated with mixed-fleet flying. Each model of the Embraer 170/190 family has two underwing CF34 General Electric engines continually monitored by a redundant computerized management system called Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). Another important feature of the Embraer 170/190 program is the use of fly-by-wire technology for the flight control systems, similar to that deployed on larger commercial jets and advanced military aircraft. Each member of the Embraer 170/190 family has two main passenger doors and two service doors that minimize aircraft turn-around time. All four aircraft can be configured for single class or dual class seating. Another strength of the Embraer 170/190 family is the comfort provided by the double-bubble fuselage design. Unlike other aircraft of similar seating capacities, this design offers much more personal space for passengers. Embraer expects its new commercial jet family to win a significant share of the still untapped market for jets in the 70- to 110-seat range - mainly due to their performance, cabin comfort and reduced operating costs. Three Embraer 170/190 aircraft are certified. Certification for the Embraer 195 is expected in the second quarter of 2006. Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A.) is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 110 seats, with 36 years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, selling and providing after-sales support to aircraft for the global airline, defense and business jet markets. With headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, state of Sao Paulo, the Company has offices and customer service bases in the United States, France, Portugal, China and Singapore. Embraer is among Brazil's leading exporting companies. As of September 30, 2005, Embraer had a total workforce of 17,046 people, and its firm order backlog totaled US$ 10.4 billion. Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. - www.embraer.com.br
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