29/11/2016
EMBRAER SEES POTENTIAL IN RCS, EYES SHARE IN LOCAL AIR SPACE
Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer is eyeing the regional aviation market, which is expected to get a big push amid the government's plans to provide air connectivity to unserved and underserved airports in the country under its UDAN scheme.
The company is actively looking to enhance its pie in the 100-seater capacity segment with its fuel-efficient E jets, a release said.
Vijaywada-based regional carrier Air Costa is at present one of the E190 customers in India.
Embraer has worked out a roadmap to introduce these jets to other customers as well as it sees "huge growth potential" in regional air connectivity (RCS) space in India, the release said.
Under UDAN scheme, the Civil Aviation Ministry has listed three categories of aircraft -- those having less than 20 seats, 21-80 seats, and 80 seats or more.
At present, ATR-72 and Dash-8 aircraft fill the segment of an 80-seat aircraft, the aircraft range is a limitation to their effectiveness in delivering increased connectivity.
"We will look forward to tap sizable portion of India's regional air connectivity space with the introduction of our E-Jets.
"Considering the need in this country our E-Jets can accommodate more cargo volume and weight, typically offering up to two tonnes capacity on top of checked baggage," Embraer Asia Pacific Vice President Mark Dunnachie said.
Embraer also said its "fuel-efficient" E Jets are more economically viable for India which will help to catlyse the growth of regional air connectivity.
"Our E-Jets offers a range that covers India end-to-end from an economic standpoint, with an average network stage length of 550 km, and a utilisation of 11.7 block hours per day per aircraft, the Cost per Available Seat Kilometer (CASK) of a 100-seat Embraer E190 aircraft can be 12 per cent to 15 per cent lower than that of an ATR-72 which has levies on fuel price VAT," Dunnachie said.
Block hours refer to the moment a commercial aircraft leaves the departure gate until it lands and reaches the arrival gate, or till its engines are working.
The second generation of E-Jets -- E-Jets E2 -- which are designed to provide better fuel economy, will offer even greater cost advantage through the all-new Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engine and a reduction in direct maintenance costs, Dunnachie said.
"This cost advantage that the E-Jet and E-Jet E2 family can deliver will bring about lower fares for travellers and higher profits for airlines, making the entire aviation ecosystem a healthier and more sustainable environment," he added.
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