Taiwanese airline begins deploying E-Jets on its Asia routes
SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, May 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Embraer delivered its first EMBRAER 190 jet to Taipei-based Mandarin Airlines. The company has acquired eight E-Jets as the core aircraft of its fleet, especially for domestic and short-haul intra-regional markets.
The setting of the delivery ceremony, inspired by Mandarin's golden eagle and Embraer's stylized bird-in-flight, had an especially-prepared exclusive soundtrack. A unique touch involved presenting the Chairman of Mandarin Airlines, Michael Lo, with a painting of its new airplane, which was done, live, in the presence of authorities, guests, and the press.
Mandarin's E-Jets will be operated under leases with GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) and will come from the existing GECAS backlog. The total order includes deliveries of another seven jets, EMBRAER 190 or EMBRAER 195.
The EMBRAER 190 delivered today has a single-class configuration consisting of 104 seats with a 31-inch pitch (79 cm). In addition to replacing its older fleet of jets, the carrier will use the new-generation E-Jets to develop markets throughout Asia.
"It is an honor and a pleasure to deliver this aircraft to Mandarin, one of Asia's most prestigious and established airlines," said Mauro Kern, Embraer's Executive Vice-President, Airline Market. "We have recently finalized the implementation of our customer support services in the region, further confirming our vision for the E-Jets family and our commitment to Asia-Pacific."
"We are proud to be the first carrier to use this technically advanced aircraft in our region. With its high-tech design and customer-comfort cabin configuration, it will surely enhance flight safety levels and customer satisfaction, and lead to outstanding performance and successful operations," said Michael Lo, Chairman of Mandarin Airlines.
Along with its increasing Asia-Pacific sales, Embraer is significantly expanding its local product support network by establishing a spare parts logistics center and a full flight simulator in the region. Plans include new trade agreements and the involvement of industry service providers, which will allow the Company to offer outstanding training and replacement parts for the growing number of customers.
On March 31, 2007, Embraer had logged 630 firm orders and 558 options for the E-Jets, totaling 1,188 aircraft to 32 customers worldwide.
