After delivering ten EMBRAER 170 jets to Japan Airlines (JAL), Embraer has signed an amendment to the original contract, signed in June 2007 with the Japanese airline, for a new E170 jet. The value of the deal, at list price, is USD 38 million.

As the previous ones, this E170, powered by GE CF34-8E engines, will be configured for 76 passengers, in a single class, and will be operated by J-AIR, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of JAL, serving the company’s regional network in Japan. Delivery is planned for the last quarter of 2012.

“JAL’s latest order is an important recognition of the E-Jets excellent performance in terms of schedule reliability, comfort and economics,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, Embraer President, Commercial Aviation. “We continue to build a solid relationship with JAL, which has been deploying our E-Jets to right-size some of its narrow-body markets and developing new routes across Japan.”

“With this additional EMBRAER 170 order, Japan Airlines continues the process of optimizing its domestic route network, begun in February 2009, when the first E-Jet started commercial service at J-Air. The E170 is extremely popular for a variety of reasons. First, with our business customers because it allows us to add flights as demand in key markets grows; second, our shareholders because of the fleet’s economic contribution to our turn-around plan; and third, our Operations Department because it is among the most reliable airplanes we operate today,” said Tsuyoshi Yamamura, J-AIR President and JAL Executive Officer.

With the current fleet of ten E170s, J-Air replaced old and inefficient aircraft on routes such as Tokyo-Haneda to Nanki-Shirahama and between Osaka-Itami to Aomori. The airline also re-launched some routes, including Osaka-Itami to Miyazaki, previously flown with old and bigger jets, adjusting capacity to demand.

Embraer press release