By Gabriel Araujo
SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil (Reuters) -Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer sees itself as a “great solution” for carriers to add capacity faster amid restrictions on ‘large’ narrowbody deliveries in the sector, CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said Tuesday.
The company has seen increasing demand for its commercial aircraft and is actively working on several sales campaigns that it hopes to complete in the coming months, Gomes Neto told reporters at an event at the company’s headquarters.
Embraer has production sites available from 2026, meaning it can achieve sales of new planes ahead of bigger rivals Boeing and Airbus, the latter having sold out of its production of single-aisle planes until the end of the decade.
The Brazilian company is preparing for the Farnborough Airshow next month, when aircraft makers often announce large orders. Gomes Neto said Embraer hopes this year’s event will be “the best show ever” for the company.
“We have positive sales momentum across business units,” he said. “Starting with commercial aircraft, we have seen increased demand for our E-Jets, either the E175-E1 or the E2 family.”
Embraer this month secured an order for 20 E2 jets from Mexicana de Aviacion, opening a new market for its second-generation jets, following a large order from American Airlines in March for 90 smaller first-generation E175 aircraft.
Embraer’s traditional regional market, where it competes with its E2 family for 90 to 120 passengers, falls just below Boeing and Airbus’ best-selling market of more than 150 seats.
Gomes Neto reiterated that while Embraer understands its ability to make larger aircraft, there are currently no concrete plans to move in a direction other than its regional niche.
“We are always investigating opportunities, not only in the commercial sector, but also in other business areas, but at the moment we have no concrete plans,” said the director. “We’re really focused on selling the products we have.”
(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
