Embraer Delivers 1st Embraer 190 Jet for BA Cityflyer

• British Airways subsidiary now operates the EMBRAER 170 and the EMBRAER 190 at LCY

(Sao Jose dos Campos, March 17, 2010) -- Embraer delivered the first EMBRAER 190 jet to British Airways, this month, at the Company's headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The aircraft will be flown by BA CityFlyer, British Airways' wholly owned regional subsidiary, which operates international and domestic routes from London City Airport (LCY).This is the first of a total of five firm orders it has for the EMBRAER 190, plus options for another three aircraft, scheduled for delivery throughout 2010.

The EMBRAER 190 is the second model of the E-Jet family to be certified to operate at LCY, after the EMBRAER 170, in mid-2007. The announcement was made by Embraer last February, referring to the flexibility brought to European operators. The operation at LCY requires the aircraft to perform a steep approach landing, in order to reduce noise in the vicinity of the airport. The steep approach feature is made possible at the E-Jets by a clean and efficient software solution developed on the existing fly-by-wire system, allowing for better flight qualities and control, as well as reduced pilot workload and fuel consumption.


"It is gratifying to see both the EMBRAER 170 and the EMBRAER 190 jets now operating at LCY with British Airways," said Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market, stressing that "BA CityFlyer has the important mission of defending British Airways' hallmark high-level of services in light of the demanding financial community that uses LCY, and we are proud to be part of this effort."

The range of the EMBRAER 190 out of LCY is over 800 nautical miles (1,500 km). This means that the aircraft can depart from London and fly nonstop to Berlin (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Prague (Czech Republic), Rome (Italy), or Warsaw (Poland). Furthermore, when compared to aircraft with similar capacity currently operating at that airport, the EMBRAER 190 reduces fuel burn and emissions by 25%, and provides a 50% savings in maintenance costs.

"We are looking forward to the deliveries of the EMBRAER 190 that will complete our fleet renewal program by May of this year, and joining the fleet of six of EMBRAER 170s already in service at LCY," said Peter Simpson, Managing Director of BA CityFlyer. "We are very excited about this new fleet of fuel-efficient aircraft, which will not only meet our environmental objectives but, also, deliver a product with more space and comfort for our customers."

Source : Embraer - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (NYSE: ERJ)