Posted by Sade Williams
Brazilian planemaker Embraer has announced a firm order for three new Embraer E175 regional jets, plus rights for the purchase of a further three Overland Airways, a scheduled and charter operator based in Nigeria.
Following on from the huge Airbus order placed by Indigo Partners on the first day of the show, Embraer has kicked off its orderbook at this year’s Dubai Airshow with an announcement on Monday of a sale for six aircraft.
The newest Embraer’s customer is Overland Airways, a scheduled and charter airline operating out of Ikeja, Lagos State.
Speaking at the Dubai Airshow, president and CEO of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, said, ‘We are confident that this is the right moment to invest, as regional aviation is on an optimistic post-pandemic recovery. Our customers will really enjoy all comfort in the E175, and we appreciate our partnership with Embraer.’
The aircraft will be delivered with a premium class cabin configuration and 88-seats from 2023. The deal is worth $299.4 million, at list prices, if all purchase rights are exercised.
Cesar Pereira, Vice-president for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Embraer Commercial Aviation, commented also on the order. “We are proud of this partnership with Overland and to support their regional expansion. We are seeing growing long-term demand for rightsized aircraft to deliver profitable domestic connections in Nigeria.”
The E175 is Embraer’s smallest of the E-jet family, and the only one not to have been reworked into the new technology E2 configuration. It’s proven to be a popular aircraft during the pandemic, offering incredible efficiency and the right sort of capacity for the depressed market size.
Overland Airways operates from Nigeria across West Africa providing scheduled and charter flight services. The Airline commenced flights in 2002 with the aim of increasing the prosperity of the Nigerian hinterland by providing seamless and reliable air transportation of business and leisure travelers and interconnecting hub cities and remote economies. The Airline is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, and Member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)‚ the association of leading global airlines that control over 83 percent of scheduled global traffic.
