São José dos Campos, March 17, 2011 – Embraer delivered the 19th EMBRAER 195 jet to Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, today. This is the 100th E-Jet to go into operation in Latin America and the Caribbean, where Embraer is the absolute leader in accumulated sales of commercial jets from 61 to 120 seats, with a 79% market share.

“We are happy to share with our great partner, Azul, the delivery of this 100th airplane in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. “The number of E-Jets flying is growing significantly in the region, showing that this family of airplanes is  extremely adequate for the demand levels in the area and flexible enough for accommodating the typical ups and downs of emerging markets with the latest technology, low operating cost, and high level of passenger comfort.”

The first delivery of an E-Jet in Latin America and the Caribbean occurred in 2005, when Copa Airlines, of Panama, received an EMBRAER 190. Since then, another nine airlines in the region have begun to operate this family of four airplanes with seating capacities from 70 to 120 seats: Aeroméxico (Mexico), Air Caraibes (Guadalupe), Austral (Argentina), Azul (Brazil), Copa Airlines Colombia (former Aero República), Satena (Colombia), Taca (El Salvador), TAME (Ecuador), and TRIP (Brazil). By the end of the year, 134 E-Jets will be operating in the region.

“It is an honor for Azul to receive this commemorative aircraft from Embraer, which is a company in which we believed, even before our company was founded. This fact only became possible, because of all of the people who daily and passionately deal with the building and operation of these super-machines. It was due to the efforts and synergy of the teams from both companies that we have achieved another landmark in this delivery,” said Pedro Janot, President of Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras.

The demand for air transportation in Latin America and the Caribbean grew 11.3% in 2010, compared to the previous year. The Brazilian market, alone, grew 23.5%, while the worldwide average was 5%. Currently, more than 150 cities in 25 Latin American countries are served by the E-Jets, which have now carried 37 million passengers in the region.

About Azul Linhas Aéreas

After more than two years in operation, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras now links 33 destinations via 200 daily flights. Adding to that, the integrated bus lines offered by the company, 39 Brazilian cities are connected by Azul. The airline operates a fleet of 31 aircraft, composed of ten EMBRAER 190 and 18 EMBRAER 195 jets, plus three turboprops. The role of Azul is to stimulate air traffic and boost the Brazilian economy through an equation that is easy to understand but hard to imitate: low prices with high quality services. To know more, see www.voeazul.com.br.

Source and photo: Embraer