Embraer announced today that KLM Cityhopper, KLM’s subsidiary for European operations, confirmed options for two additional E175s. The original contract, covering 17 firm orders (15 E175s and two E190s) and 17 options (all for the E175 version), was announced in March 2015. Options for 15 aircraft of the same model still remain.
The two new E175s were included in Embraer’s 2015 fourth-quarter backlog and have an estimated value of USD 88.8 million, based on Embraer’s list prices. These new aircraft will join the 30 E190s already flying with KLM Cityhopper – the airline received the two new E190s from this order in December 2015.
“For almost a decade KLM Cityhopper has operated E-Jets, becoming one of the largest customers of this aircraft family in the world, so we are extremely pleased that they have confirmed these new acquisitions, extending our great partnership. We wish even greater success to KLM Cityhopper as it continues to modernize its fleet in order to face the very competitive aviation environment in Europe,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
“We are pleased to confirm the options for two additional Embraer E175s. They will join the 30 E190s already flying with KLM Cityhopper. The E175 will be configured in a single-class layout with differentiated pitches to accommodate for European Business Class, Economy Comfort and Economy Class. With the leather upholstery this makes the Embraer extremely comfortable for our passengers,” said Pieter Elbers, President and CEO KLM.
“The E190 cabin and seat appreciation by our passengers, the operational reliability, the advanced maintenance technology, the fuel consumption and CO-2 footprint contributed to KLC success. Our operations will be reinforced with the E175 and its attractive economics starting to join KLC fleet in a couple of months,” said Boet Kreiken, Managing Director KLM Cityhopper.
The first E175 will join KLM Cityhopper’s fleet in March 2016. KLM started the process of replacing the Fokker for E-Jets at KLM Cityhopper in 2008, in order to enhance the existing network and to permit the development of new routes. When the last aircraft from this order is delivered, including these two E175s, KLM Cityhopper will have 47 E-Jets, the largest E-Jet fleet in Europe.
Since entering revenue service in 2004, Embraer has received more than 1,700 orders for its family of E-Jets. The aircraft have been added to the fleets of 70 customers in 50 countries. More than 1,200 E-Jets have been delivered. The versatile 70 to 130-seat family is flying with low-cost airlines and with regional and mainline carriers.