News on regional aircraft deals may have been overshadowed by the big stories coming in from Airbus and Boeing at this year’s Paris Airshow, but regional plane makers definitely did not leave empty handed. ATR secured a 100+ deal with lessor NAC and Embraer boosted its E-Jet business with 78 new orders, including a $1.9 billion contract with United Airlines.
The Franco-Italian regional aircraft maker ATR announced 75 new orders at Le Bourget worth a whopping $1.7 billion total. On the second day of the Paris Airshow, June 18, 2019, leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) placed a firm order for 35 ATR72-600s, with options for a further 35 and purchase rights for another 35 of the turboprops. Deliveries of the initial 35 aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2020.
The commitments announced during the airshow also include 17 orders for the new ATR42-600S or Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) variant of the ATR 42. Ahead of the planned official launch of the variant, the company has already announced three launch customers for the new version, including Air Tahiti, Elix Aviation Capital and one undisclosed customer. Air Tahiti ordered two ATR 42-600S and Elix Aviation signed for 10 ATR 42-600S at Le Bourget.
Meanwhile, Brazilian plane maker Embraer sealed a total of 78 new deals. On the first day of the airshow, June 17, 2019, the company signed with United Airlines for up to 39 E175s. The contract, estimated to be worth $1.9 billion at list prices, includes 20 firm orders and 19 options for aircraft in a 70-seat configuration. Deliveries of the planes are planned to begin in the second quarter of 2020.
Embraer found another major customer in KLM and its regional airline KLM Cityhopper, which announced its intentions to buy up to 35 E195-E2 jets, comprising 15 firm orders and purchase rights for a further 20 aircraft of the same model. The deal is valued at $2.48 billion at list prices. With a fleet of 49 E-Jets – 32 E190s and 17 E175s – at its regional subsidiary, KLM is the largest Embraer aircraft operator in Europe.
At the show, the Brazilian regional plane maker also signed a firm order with Fuji Dream Airlines (Japan) for two E175 jets and a contract with Binter (Spain) for two additional E195-E2s.