Lisbon, Portugal, May 24, 2016 – TAP is the newest airline to operate Embraer’s E-Jets in Europe. Yesterday, the company launched scheduled flights with the E190 jet, from Lisbon to various destinations of its intra-European network. The first flight, TP488, was from Lisbon to Nice, in France. The airline began to incorporate nine used jets of this model into its fleet in recent months. The aircraft will operate under the TAP Express brand.
“We are extremely pleased to add TAP Express to the growing family of E-Jet operators,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “With the best operating cost in the category of jets with up to 100 seats, the E190 will bring more efficiency and flexibility to TAP Express operations, and provide unmatched passenger comfort.”
The E190 entry into service is part of TAP’s renewal strategy for its regional fleet, which will now operate under the new brand TAP Express, replacing the Portugalia PGA Airlines designation, in order to deliver greater brand and product consistency for TAP, and strengthen its commercial identity.
“For the complete renewal of its regional fleet as well as the improvement of the product and services offered, it is with great anticipation that TAP launches the new E190 into operation, which provides a new dimension of comfort and newness that will surprise our passengers. The new E190 aircraft are extremely modern, with advanced technology and greater autonomy, allowing us to open new routes and reach new markets, ensuring a more reliable and more flexible operation, with higher levels of economy and efficiency. With its entry into service, TAP Express now has the youngest fleet in the market it serves, thus positioning itself more competitively in relation to its counterparts,” said Fernando Pinto, TAP CEO.
The airline will use the E190 to replace Fokker 100 jets, planes that were in service for over 25 years in the company. The E190 will be configured with 106 seats.
Embraer is the only manufacturer to develop a modern family of four airplanes specifically targeted for the 70- to 130-seat segment. Since the launch of the program, Embraer has logged nearly 1,700 orders and over 1,200 deliveries, with the E-Jets redefining the traditional concept of regional aircraft by operating across a range of business applications, with some 70 customers from 50 countries. The first E-Jet entered revenue service in 2004. Collectively, the E-Jets have accumulated more than 15 million flight hours.
Press release and picture Embraer
