Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is in discussions with potential partners in China, India and Turkey to expand its E190/E195-E2 production line to the region.
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said the cooperation included working with local suppliers, building completion centres and opening overseas final assembly lines.
Embraer has previously opened a final assembly plant in China. From 2003 to 2017, Barbin Industrial cooperated with Aerospace Industries (AVIC) to assemble the E145 and Legacy 650 business jets. As a result, some industry observers believe that China is the most likely location for an aircraft assembly plant.
"We're having active discussions with China, and these discussions are very strategic," Mayer said, "Discussions are about assembly lines, completion centers, working with local production and engaging Chinese supply chains." ”
Mayer also said: "We are making progress and India and Turkey are doing the same. ”
Embraer's previous cooperation with the aviation industry in Harbin has not been successful, producing only 45 aircraft in 14 years.
But Mayer is more hopeful about the prospects for the E2 in China. Mayer said: "The E195 E2 aircraft received a type approval certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in August. "We will work to stimulate the interest of Chinese operators in using the E195 E2."
Mayer also sees a broad market opportunity for the E2 aircraft in India, both in terms of aircraft capacity and payload combination. Embraer believes that the E195-E2 has low operating costs and is well suited for the country's airlines.
Mayer said: Embraer currently has no plans to develop a larger aircraft. "Our priority is to sell what we already have," he says.