Embraer Delivers 100th Legacy, Plans Two New Bizjets

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In a ceremony last week at its headquarters in So Jos dos Campos, Brazil, Embraer celebrated delivering its 100th Legacy 600 business jet since the type first went into service in 2002. The centennial Legacy 600 was presented to ABS Jets, a charter operator and aircraft management firm based in Prague, Czech Republic, and joins two other Legacys already delivered to the operator. We are especially proud to receive this aircraft, said Marian Jancarik, managing director of ABS Jets. This is further proof of our confidence in a great product, two of which are already in operation with ABS Jets. The Legacy is the ideal tool for operations in Europe. Out of our Prague base, we can serve all European countries, without exception, and can even fly nonstop to most of the countries in the Middle East.” While the delivery and ceremony marked a significant milestone for Embraers first business jet program, initially launched at the Farnborough Air Show in 2000, the airframer also reportedly is planning an additional two new aircraft to its fleet, to join the under-development Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 light jets. Those reports place the two new, as-yet-unnamed jets in a weight category between the Phenom 300 and the Legacy 600. In Embraer’s fleet, only the Lineage 1000, based on the E-190 regional airliner, is larger.

We see the delivery of the 100th Legacy as a confirmation of the remarkable acceptance that the jet has enjoyed, building a 13.6% market share in just five years, said Lus Carlos Affonso, Embraer executive vice-president, Executive Jets. This achievement is a testament to Embraers commitment to customers by delivering outstanding aircraft with ample space and premium comfort for a unique travel experience. Now that the 100th Legacy 600 has been delivered, Embraer says it intends to continue increasing production rates, with delivery forecasts for 2007 and 2008 ranging from 25-30. Meanwhile, the planned two additional mid-market jets have yet to be green-lighted by Embraer’s board of directors. If the company does decide to give the program for two new 8- to 11-passenger jets the go-ahead, it’s likely an announcement would be made at this fall’s National Business Aviation Association annual meeting and convention, to be held in Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 25-27.

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