Brazil Secures Deal With Kenya Airways

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer has secured a deal to supply ten of its E-190 aircraft to Kenya Airways, a major operator in East Africa and beyond.

Embraer won the bid in competition with Boeing as Kenya Airways launched a 10-year plan to expand its operations across the African continent.

Ember is also seeking to expand its international aviation markets with focus on Africa, where its jets’ fuel efficiency, prices and terms of payment are likely to have an edge over other competitors.

Though both parties did not reveal the value of the deal, it is estimated about 4 billion dollars based on the market value  of the aircraft.

Embraer will deliver the jets in the third quarter of 2012, ahead of the delivery of five Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets scheduled for the end of 2013.

The E-190 aircraft has a sitting capacity of 114 passengers in a four-abreast layout and has secured more than 1,000 firm orders from 60 airlines, with more than 750 aircraft in operation globally.

The aircraft which was launched in 2004 is a large version of E-170 and E-175 family, flying on a larger wing, bigger horizontal stabilizer and a new engine, the GE CF34-10E.

The E-190 is in competition with Bombardier CR1-1000, smaller mainline jets, including the Boeing 717-200, 737-500 and 737-600, the Airbus A318 and an upcoming Bombardier C series.