Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA has announced that China’s aviation regulator has certified its E190-E2 regional jet for operations in the country in a move that would allow it to compete against the domestic ARJ21 regional jet.
China had been slow to certify the latest generation of Western jets and turboprops that compete against domestic-made equivalents, though the European ATR42-600 turboprop was also granted certification during Airshow China in Zhuhai that closed on Sunday.
The E190-E2, a more fuel-efficient version of the older E190 that already operates in China, can seat up to 114 passengers and was certified in Brazil, the United States and Europe in 2018.
Its capacity compares with the 90-seat ARJ21 regional jet and 168-seat C919 narrowbody jet produced by Commercial Aviation Corp of China.
Embraer said that the E190-E2 and the larger E195-E2 can seat up to 146 passengers complementing the ARJ21 and C919 in terms of capacity.
The Tech-Lion E195-E2 made its debut at the four-day Airshow China in Zhuhai with the Brazilian planemaker saying it was also seeking Chinese certification of the E195-E2, which is expected to obtain shortly.
Embraer Commercial Aviation Chief Executive Officer Arjan Meijer said that the E190-E2 certification would usher in more business opportunities in China.
“The E190-E2 and the E195-E2, seating up to 114 and 146 passengers respectively, offer complementary capacity to China’s indigenous ARJ21 and C919 aircraft,” he said.
“The E2 will not only provide the best-in-class economics and emissions reductions for airliners, but also help to accelerate the implementation of China’s essential air service programme,” said Meijer.
According to Embraer, Chinese carriers will take delivery of 1,445 new aircraft with up to 150 seats between now and 2041.
