Embraer gains large Phenom order

NBAA kicked off last Monday its 63rd annual business aviation show in Atlanta with a packed press conference learning that NetJets would place a 120 aircraft order (50 firm and 75 options) for Embraer’s Phenom 300 light jet. 

Worth US$1bn, it is a record commitment for business jets since the global economic crisis struck.  Deliveries of the first 50 will commence in 2013 through to 2015 with 20% going to NetJets Europe.

“This is a tremendous endorsement for Embraer, now in our ninth year in business aviation and it will definitely help future sales,” said Embraer Chief Executive Fred Curado, who apparently only got the nod on Friday that they had won the closely fought contest.  NetJets has previously purchased its business jets from US manufacturers.  The intention, according to NetJets Chairman and CEO David Sokol, is to reduce the number of smaller cabin aircraft types in the fleet to two. 

Meanwhile, the first Phenom 300 destined for European commercial charter is scheduled to be delivered to Oxford, UK-based FlairJet in November.  Alison Chambers reports in full in next week’s AERBT. www.embraer.com www.netjets.com

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