Embraer and Widerøe, Scandinavia’s largest regional airline, celebrated the delivery of the manufacturer’s first production E190-E2 today at a ceremony at Embraer’s facility in São José dos Campos. The Norwegian airline will start flying the new aircraft on domestic routes later this month.
The E190-E2 is the first of three new-generation E-Jets to be introduced by Embraer through 2021. Widerøe’s E190-E2 is configured with 114 seats in a single-class layout. Widerøe has contracted for up to 15 E-Jets E2s – three firm E190-E2 orders and purchase rights for an additional 12 E2s. The total value of the order is approximately $873 million if all rights are exercised.
“The E190-E2 is an impressive aircraft. It is the ideal airplane for Widerøe as we introduce jets for the first time in the company’s 84-year history,” said Stein Nilsen, Chief Executive Officer of Widerøe.
He added: “I am convinced our passengers are going to love the cabin, our operations people are going to embrace the new technology, while our financial collaborators will appreciate the economics the aircraft permits. I believe everyone is going to celebrate with us, as the launch customer, the fact that we are the first airline to fly the world’s most environmentally-friendly airplane. With the lowest noise and emissions among aircraft in its category.”
Making history
“This is a historic day for the E-Jets program and for Embraer. The delivery of this E2 marks a continuation of a real success story in global aviation. I’m honoured that Widerøe – such a respected and experienced airline – is our launch operator” said John Slattery, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
The E190-E2 received Type Certification on February 28. It is the first time an aircraft programme with the level of complexity of the E2 has received Type Certificates simultaneously from three major worldwide authorities: Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC), the FAA (the US Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).
Watch our video interview with John Slattery about the E190-E2, taken late last year:
