São José dos Campos, April 4, 2011 – Embraer and KLM Cityhopper, KLM’s regional subsidiary, has signed a contract for a further five EMBRAER 190 jets, firming up options originally placed in August 2007. The total value of the deal, at list price, is US$ 214 million, based on January 2011 economic conditions. The initial deliveries of this new order are scheduled to take place during the first semester of 2012. The Dutch airline still retains options on two more EMBRAER 190 jets.

“It’s very gratifying for us to see KLM, one of the world’s most admired and respected airlines, continue to build its fleet of E-Jets,” said Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. “This is the third consecutive year for KLM to firm up options, which underlines the success of the E-Jets family in modernizing KLM Cityhopper’s fleet.”

Today, KLM Cityhopper operates 17 EMBRAER 190 jets on its regional European routes, all configured for 100-seats in a dual-class layout. With the latest order, the fleet will expand to 22 of the type.

“KLM Cityhopper is really satisfied in its choice of the EMBRAER 190 for the fleet renewal program. This has been validated by a strong set of operational results, which have led to increased profitability on some routes,” said Boet Kreiken, Managing Director of KLM Cityhopper. “Market and passenger response to these aircraft has similarly been very positive.”

About KLM Cityhopper

KLM Cityhopper is a wholly owned subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The company flies most of the European routes of KLM’s airline network, and its current fleet consists of 48 aircraft, including 17 EMBRAER 190 jets. KLM Cityhopper operates 270 daily flights to 45 destinations.

Source: Embraer
Photo: Rob Vogelaar, ZAPP