Embraer S.A. and SkyWest Inc. (SkyWest) signed a firm order for 100 E175-E2 aircraft, with another 100 Purchase Rights, bringing the total potential of the order to 200 aircraft. The announcement was made today at a press conference at the 50th International Paris Air Show. If all the orders are exercised, the contract has an estimated value, at list price, of USD 9.36 billion.

This new contract is in addition to SkyWest’s previous order in May 2013 for up to 200 current generation E175 aircraft, and therefore the potential order of E-Jets at SkyWest may reach 400 aircraft.

“After concluding an agreement for up to two hundred orders for our current-generation E-Jets from SkyWest just last month, I’m more than glad that the company has made this decision to be the launch customer for the E175-E2,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, President and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “To have the world’s largest regional airline placing this E-Jets E2 order shows SkyWest’s confidence in Embraer and its products. Our companies have a long history together and with this new contract, that partnership is going to continue well into the future.”

As the first operator to order the E175-E2, SkyWest becomes the launch customer for that aircraft, one of three E-Jets E2 models. SkyWest, of St. George, Utah, USA, is the largest regional airline group in the world.  It is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines, both of which have been long time operators of Embraer aircraft.  More than 40 EMB 120 Brasilia turboprops continue to fly in the SkyWest Airlines network, primarily in the western states. ExpressJet Airlines operates 249 aircraft from the ERJ 145 family and has the largest ERJ fleet in the world.

“The selection of the current E175 and the new E175-E2 is another phase of our fleet renewal strategy that will allow SkyWest to offer the best operating economics for its partners and the most comfortable experience for their passengers,” said Jerry Atkin, Chairman and CEO of SkyWest. “We’ve worked with Embraer for many years and our good experience with the EMBs and ERJs promises to continue with our new fleet of E-Jets.”

The E-Jets E2 represent Embraer’s commitment to continuously invest in the company’s line of commercial jets and maintain its leadership in the 70 to 130 seats market. The three new airplanes (E175-E2, E190-E2, E195-E2) carry the designator “E2” which signifies generational changes in technology that have been incorporated in the design. Each of the three aircraft has the versatility for a range of single class, multi-class or high-density seat capacities to suit operator requirements with new ‘look and feel’ and improved comfort levels.

State-of-the-art engines in combination with new aerodynamically advanced wings, full fly-by-wire flight controls, and advancements in other systems will result in double-digit improvements in fuel burn, maintenance costs, emissions and external noise.

The first delivery of an E-Jets E2 (the E190-E2) is planned for the first semester of 2018. The E195-E2 is slated to enter service in 2019 and the E175-E2 in 2020. Over 950 E-Jets have been delivered to date. Currently, 65 customers from 47 countries have added Embraer E-Jets to their fleets.