SkyWest Inc. (SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines) (St. George) has signed a firm order for 100 Embraer E175-E2 aircraft, with another 100 Purchase Rights, bringing the total potential of the order to 200 aircraft. The announcement was made today at a press conference at the 50th International Paris Airshow. If all the orders are exercised, the contract has an estimated value, at list price, of $9.36 billion.
This new contract is in addition to SkyWest’s previous order in May 2013 for up to 200 current generation E175 aircraft, and therefore the potential order of E-Jets at SkyWest may reach 400 aircraft.
As the first operator to order the E175-E2, SkyWest becomes the launch customer for that aircraft, one of three E-Jets E2 models. SkyWest is the largest regional airline group in the world. It is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines, both of which have been long time operators of Embraer aircraft. More than 40 EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops continue to fly in the SkyWest Airlines network, primarily in the western states. ExpressJet Airlines operates 249 aircraft from the ERJ 145 family and has the largest ERJ fleet in the world.
The E-Jets E2 represent Embraer’s commitment to continuously invest in the company’s line of commercial jets and maintain its leadership in the 70 to 130 seats market. The three new airplanes (E175-E2, E190-E2, E195-E2) carry the designator “E2” which signifies generational changes in technology that have been incorporated in the design. Each of the three aircraft has the versatility for a range of single class, multi-class or high-density seat capacities to suit operator requirements with new ‘look and feel’ and improved comfort levels.
State-of-the-art engines in combination with new aerodynamically advanced wings, full fly-by-wire flight controls, and advancements in other systems will result in double-digit improvements in fuel burn, maintenance costs, emissions and external noise.
The first delivery of an E-Jets E2 (the E190-E2) is planned for the first semester of 2018. The E195-E2 is slated to enter service in 2019 and the E175-E2 in 2020. Over 950 E-Jets have been delivered to date. Currently, 65 customers from 47 countries have added Embraer E-Jets to their fleets.
Pratt & Whitney will provide exclusive power for up to 100 firm plus 100 purchase right Embraer Second Generation E-Jets for an order announced today by Embraer and SkyWest, Inc. Deliveriesare scheduled to begin in 2020. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corporation.
Each Embraer Second Generation E2 E-Jet will be powered by two PurePower engines. Pratt & Whitney has announced orders for more than 3,500 engines that include announced and unannounced firm orders, plus options. The PurePower family of engines uses an advanced gear system allowing the engine’s fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core deliver the improvements in fuel efficiency, environmental emissions and noise.
Image: Embraer.
SkyWest Airlines: 